Author: LaWanda Harris

Taking Back Your Life

Childhood abuse leaves deep scars, but those scars don’t have to define your future. Breaking the silence is the first step in taking back your life, but it’s also important to work through the trauma with intentionality. Personal development, self-care, and spiritual growth all play a part in this journey.

For me, forgiving those who hurt me was a vital part of my healing process. Forgiveness is not about excusing the behavior or forgetting what happened. Rather, it’s about releasing the hold that anger and bitterness have over your life. In the story of Joseph from the Bible, he forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery, saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). That scripture has been a cornerstone in my healing process, reminding me that even out of our deepest pain, God can bring something good.

Healing from childhood abuse is not an easy road, but it is possible. Each step you take toward speaking out, finding support, and reclaiming your life is a step toward freedom. It’s a journey that requires strength, but it also builds strength. 

Breaking Free and Moving Forward

If you are reading this and have experienced childhood abuse, I want you to know that you are not alone. You are worthy of healing, and you deserve to live a life free from the weight of your past. Breaking the silence is terrifying, but it is also liberating. You don’t have to keep carrying the burden of what happened to you. It is possible to break free and to find peace, joy, and healing.

I encourage you to take that first step. Speak up, reach out, and begin your journey toward healing. The silence may have been your safety net, but it’s time to let it go and step into the fullness of your life. As someone who has been there, I can promise you—it’s worth it. Victory awaits on the other side of the silence.

Join my tribe on Instagram for tips, encouragement, inspiration and more to help you on your journey to recovery.

I am LaWanda Will B LaWanda because everyone else is already taken!

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No one should walk the path of healing alone. One of the biggest lessons I learned through my own recovery was the importance of a strong support system. Having people around who love, support, and believe you can make all the difference in overcoming childhood trauma.

I leaned heavily on my faith and my close community of like-minded individuals. These people gave me space to process my pain without pushing me, encouraged me when I felt like giving up, and reminded me that I wasn’t defined by my past. Healing isn’t a linear process—there are ups and downs, good days and bad—but having people who stand by you through it all is critical.

For some, that support might come from family, while for others, it might be found in therapy groups, online communities, or faith-based organizations. The key is to surround yourself with people who understand your journey and give you the grace and space to heal at your own pace. Isolation only deepens the wound, but connection can begin to heal it.

Join my tribe on Instagram for tips, encouragement, inspiration and more to help you on your journey to recovery.

I am LaWanda Will B LaWanda because everyone else is already taken!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Breaking the silence is terrifying, but it is also the first and most crucial step toward healing. For many survivors, the first person we tell might be a therapist, a close friend, or a family member. It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as it’s someone who will listen without judgment. Finding that person can feel daunting, but support systems exist—whether through trusted loved ones or professional support.

When I first decided to speak about my experience, it wasn’t easy. The fear of judgment was overwhelming. But I found writing my truth and sharing it with the world was one way to help me on my journey. The act of speaking out lifted a massive weight off my shoulders. It didn’t heal me overnight, but it opened the door to healing. Speaking about the abuse was like unlocking a door that had been closed for far too long. Through my voice, I reclaimed my power.

If you are a survivor, the act of speaking up might seem impossible right now. But let me assure you, you are stronger than the trauma you’ve experienced. The more you speak about it, the less power the abuser holds over your life. Start small if you need to—journal your thoughts, or confide in one trusted person. Over time, sharing your story will empower you, rather than keep you bound in fear.

Join my tribe on Instagram for tips, encouragement, inspiration and more to help you on your journey to recovery.

I am LaWanda Will B LaWanda because everyone else is already taken!

Photo by Rosie Sun on Unsplash

Childhood should be a time of innocence, exploration, and joy. Unfortunately, for many, it is a time marked by pain, fear, and suffering. One of the hardest forms of trauma to overcome is childhood abuse, especially when the abuser is someone close. Whether physical, emotional, or sexual, childhood abuse leaves deep scars that affect the survivor’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 

I know this pain firsthand. I endured sexual abuse at the hands of my stepfather, someone who should have been a protector. My childhood was stolen from me, and for many years, I was locked in a prison of silence, shame, and fear. But over time, I learned that silence only feeds the trauma. Breaking free meant finding my voice and reclaiming the power that abuse had taken from me. This is the story of how I broke the silence, and how others can do the same.

The Weight of Silence

For many survivors of childhood abuse, silence becomes a coping mechanism. We may feel ashamed, as though the abuse was somehow our fault. We fear judgment, blame, or even disbelief from others. We might stay silent to protect our families or because our abusers have instilled fear in us. That silence, however, becomes a heavy burden, trapping us in the trauma long after the abuse has ended.

For years, I carried the weight of my silence, feeling isolated in my pain. Every time I wanted to speak, I feared the consequences: “Will they believe me?” “Will they blame me?” “Will it tear my family apart?” These fears are valid and real, but the cost of staying silent is even greater. In silence, trauma festers, turning into anxiety, depression, mistrust, and even self-loathing.

It wasn’t until years later, that I realized I couldn’t keep holding onto the pain in silence. I understood that my silence was killing me emotionally and spiritually. I knew I had to break free.

And I know you can too!

I encourage you to take that first step. Speak up, reach out, and begin your journey toward healing. The silence may have been your safety net, but it’s time to let it go and step into the fullness of your life. As someone who has been there, I can promise you—it’s worth it. Victory awaits on the other side of the silence.

Join my tribe on Instagram for tips, encouragement, inspiration and more to help you on your journey to recovery.

I am LaWanda Will B LaWanda because everyone else is already taken!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash