Life After Trauma by Sunlight Retreat Team 2 Member Aly Marie

It exists, it is great, and it is what you make it.

I’m sure you’re wondering if Sunlight Retreats is what you need. Beginning and end of the story, It is. I am telling you this as someone who has been where you are, regardless of what type of trauma you have experienced.

For 4 long years I felt alone, I felt as if my feelings towards what had happened were not valid. At times I even felt as though I should just “let it go” and move on with my life. It took me a while to realize that it wasn't possible for me to move on without talking to someone about it. Triggers were my indication that I was not able to move on without professional help, without an outlet, without understanding.

Understanding was the main missing link for me. Sunlight Retreats brought that to me. Dr. Shiva Ghaed brought that to me. Brittany Catton Kirk brought that to me. For years I was left feeling that there was no one else on this big blue Earth who could understand what happened or what didn’t happen. There was no one who would be able to make sense of it because I couldn’t.

Sitting across from other women who understood, who got it, who felt the same was life-changing. There is something so empowering about feeling heard, feeling understood, and feeling honored. Yes, I said honored. I felt as though everyone at that table was honoring me and what I stated as fact. No questions, no poking holes in my trauma because it didn’t fit their narrative, just honoring.

I am 5 years out of my trauma now, one year of really moving on from it and not allowing it to define me internally. I don’t wish to give specifics to anyone but my therapist anymore and that is my choice. However, I really think deep down that I would not be where I am had I not gone to the retreat. I faced a lot of fears and 100% lived my best life from the last day of the Sunlight Retreat until now. I left a marriage that was toxic, I moved across the country leaving San Diego behind me for good, and I traveled. I lived and continue to live my life on my terms. That is a power that no one can ever take. It is mine. I have it, I have always had it. You can too!

If you are afraid of change, good, this is definitely for you. No one judges that you ugly cry at the dinner table, no one judges you for when your trauma occurred, no one judges you for the decisions you made after. What you will find at Sunlight Retreats is respect, honor, understanding, and growth. I’ll get real with you, you will NEVER be ready. That is just how it is. Show up for yourself and attend this retreat, I promise you won’t regret it.

I’ll leave you with this little reminder, “Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.” Please always remember that although you are not in any way responsible for the trauma, you are responsible for the healing! You will be an unstoppable version of you, I promise. You have nothing to lose and an entire world to gain.

I hope you make the best choice for you. If you would like to connect, you can find me on Instagram @AlohaItsAly.