Disclaimer: This story is from a community member, edited for clarity.
I always knew I needed to face my past to heal and move forward, but it’s not easy. Sometimes, I feel like the child in me is too afraid to confront the truth. Other times, I worry that people won’t believe my experiences, just as they didn’t before.
Looking back on my childhood, I realise how much I’ve tried to block out. My upbringing was anything but normal. With the greatest respect for my family, whom I love dearly, I now see the unspoken trauma we never addressed. The things I saw, heard, and experienced made me think this was just how life was meant to be.
Our home was strict and joyless. My dad was all about routines and rules. Dinner had to be on the table by 6pm sharp, and silence was mandatory during the news.
The kitchen was for chores, not family time. Doing the dishes meant doing them right—no room for jokes or fun. And conversations were usually brief and to the point—’Did you cut the lawn?’ ‘How was your test?’ I hated those questions, especially since I wasn’t as into academics as my siblings My creative interests didn’t exactly thrill my dad.
Being the youngest gave me a bit of a break, but not much. My dad’s high expectations and lack of warmth made home feel more like a place of duty than love.
My love for creativity was often brushed aside for academic success. And my emotional needs rarely received attention. I often wondered if the tension between my parents signalled their unresolved issues, which we never discussed.
Understanding how these experiences shaped me is a big part of my healing. I need to see how my past affects my present. It’s tough, but facing these truths is necessary to move forward.
By accepting my past, I’m learning to acknowledge my experiences and find a way to a healthier future.
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