There’s no place like home

I never really know how to start these things and always feel awkward talking about myself, but here goes nothing… Hi, my name is Ashley. I am almost 36 years old and for the first time in my life I finally feel like I belong in this world. I grew up enduring different forms of abuse and neglect that lasted well into my adult years. Since the age of 13 I have struggled with thoughts of suicide, and became addicted to harming myself because that was the only outlet I had. For a long time I struggled to understand and accept the fact that I am a lesbian and not “normal”. Right before my 22nd birthday, my father passed away before I could reconcile with him. The guilt and blame ate away at me for years, and only helped my self harm tendencies grow stronger. After going through years of therapy and working on myself I can now say that I am in the best place I’ve ever been. I’m still a work in progress, but I will never go back to the past. Throughout my journey I have learned that your past doesn’t have to determine  who you will be. And sometimes the best home and family, is the one that you create yourself!