Hello to you, brave fellow survivor. My name is McKenzie. My journey includes surviving childhood sexual abuse and adult rape, experiences that once left me feeling isolated behind an invisible wall. For years, I felt like a spectator in my own life, disconnected from the world around me. I got a bachelors degree in mental health counseling, to "help others" I now know I was trying to "fix" myself.  Finally in my 40s, I have  found the tools to shatter the wall of PTSD that I was trapped behind. I’m no longer moving through life on autopilot; I am genuinely present and deeply connected to those I love. I created this space because I know how frustrating it is to search for support and find only cold clinical descriptions or unmoderated forums that leave you feeling more triggered than before. I wanted to build the community that I couldn't find—a place where we talk about the reality of living with PTSD, from the flash backs that can happen from a  car door handle or a specific smell, to the struggle of setting boundaries in a world that expects physical contact from women. This sanctuary is for all of us striving to find our 'normal' and reclaim our joy. Within this blog, I share my experiences and the daily practices that help me move from merely surviving to feeling truly alive, safe, and seen.