Michelle, a survivor of child sexual abuse, attended The Haven Retreat and is thankful.

I Am Thankful Every Single Day I Was Given the Opportunity

When I put in my application for the Saprea Retreat, I really had no intention of attending. The idea of driving myself to the mountains of Utah and meeting a bunch of other women like me terrified me. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I am thankful every single day I was given the opportunity.

Because of Saprea, I no longer feel alone, guilty, or ashamed of what happened to me. I was given the tools I needed to help myself heal. Best of all, I met 6 beautiful soul sisters that will be with me for the rest of my life. Anytime I’m feeling alone, all I have to do is talk to them and I instantly feel better.

-Michelle, Survivor

Interested in Attending Saprea Retreat?

Lisa, survivor of child sexual abuse, attended The Haven Retreat and found her voice.

I Have a Voice and It’s Okay to Use It

The thought of going to spend most of the week with people I didn’t know was so unsettling. But, I had accepted the invitation to go and there was no turning back. All the negative things going on in my head and all the hurt in my heart were no match for what I was about to experience!

My life was changed the day I stepped into the room with 18 other women I had never met. We immediately had a bond without saying a word. No words were needed; we all shared something in common and we all had compassion for one another because of what we shared.

I learned so much more about myself in those few days than I ever knew in the 48 years I have lived. The education and information were so enlightening about so many things that never made sense before. I am not the same person since going there! Attending the Saprea Retreat changed my life! It changed me!

I went there thinking the worst about myself because I wasn’t worth anything better than the worst. I left in a completely opposite state of mind; Knowing that I have worth, knowing that I am important, knowing that I have a voice and it’s okay to use it, knowing that I have a purpose in this life and, most of all, loving who I am!

-Lisa, Survivor

Interested in Attending the Saprea Retreat?

Don't compare your journey to anyone else's. Every survivor heals in a different way.

Don’t Compare Your Healing Journey to Anyone Else’s

Why do we compare ourselves to others? Whether it’s human nature or a product of the societies we live in, we all have a tendency to look at others and see how we match up. And, no matter the reality, we usually find ourselves wanting.

At The Younique Foundation, we think you shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone but yourself. As you work to heal from the trauma of your past, it won’t serve you in any way to compare your struggles with someone else’s strengths.

Instead, take time to look at who you were yesterday or last month or last year. Are you a stronger and more empowered person now than you were then? Of course, it’s easier to compare yourself to someone else rather than see your own progress. Here are five ways to break that comparison habit and focus on YOU:

1. Look past the “perfection.”

If someone is doing something that gives you that twinge of jealousy, then get to the root of your feelings. Do you wish you had more time for that specific thing? More resources? Try to create a goal for YOURSELF when you answer probing questions about why you’re jealous.

2. Don’t compare their highlight reel to your behind-the-scenes.

Don’t compare their best feature to your worst. It isn’t fair to anyone. Not only will it accomplish nothing, but also it will make you feel bad.

3. Spend some time focusing inward.

What do YOU want? What’s one step you can take today to get you closer to that goal? Take time to really get to know yourself and see what you’re lacking in your current life or what you’re enjoying and want to spend more time on.

4. A compliment to someone else is not an insult to you.

There are times when someone close to you will effusively compliment someone else. They may even compliment them on something that you feel is one of your strengths. Remind yourself that someone else being good at the same thing in no way diminishes your talent, beauty, or ability. There’s enough room for all of us.

5. Insulting someone doesn’t make you better.

The other side of this is when you see someone and judge them harshly. This may be unconscious, or it may be because you’re having a bad day, or any number of other reasons. No matter what, you need to pause and realize that tearing them down will not build you up. Try to temper those types of thoughts and give everyone the benefit of being a work in progress.

It can be common for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to compare themselves to others. But comparing only hinders your growth and gets you stuck in a negative mindset. The trauma of your past doesn’t need to define your present or your future. Take time to be a better YOU and empower others to be a better THEM.

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The Younique Foundation's 2016 Top 10 Blogs for Survivors

The Younique Foundation’s 2016 Top 10 Blogs for Survivors

The Younique Foundation had an amazing 2016. We were able to connect with so many survivors. Our blog is one of the key ways we do that. So here, in case you missed them, are our top 10 blogs for survivors.

  1. 5 Stages to Finding Healing explores how the five stages of grief are tied to the five stages of healing.
  2. The Relationship Between Addiction and Trauma discusses how childhood trauma can lead to addiction.
  3. Win the Fight Through Mindfulness explains how Mindfulness can help on your healing journey.
  4. The Effect Trauma Has on Your Brain explains how trauma can alter the way that your brain works.
  5. Your Brain and Trauma is another look at how trauma can literally change the way that your brain functions.
  6. The Forgotten Survivor is a guest blog written by The Younique Foundation’s Executive Director, Chris Yadon.
  7. I Get Triggered and That is Okay is a guest blog written by The Younique Foundation’s Image Coordinator, Annie Vandermyde.
  8. 8 Healing Books for Sexual Abuse Survivors is a list of books that any survivor can benefit from reading.
  9. Yoga: A Way to Find Healing for Trauma Survivors explains the great benefits that trauma-sensitive yoga can have on a survivor. It also includes a video that you can watch and try at home.
  10. The 5 Strategies to Reclaim Hope after Trauma gives a definition of each of our 5 Strategies to Reclaim Hope.

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