I’m man enough to heal.
That simple phrase holds a lot of weight. For me, it means I’ve looked in the mirror and owned my mistakes. I’ve accepted that at times, I’ve been the problem — and I’m not afraid to say it out loud. That admission isn’t weakness. It’s a strength. It’s self-awareness. It’s the first step toward freedom.
Healing didn’t come easily. It took confronting the patterns I inherited, the behaviors I absorbed, and the coping mechanisms I built just to get by. I’ve put in the work — therapy, reflection, accountability, uncomfortable conversations, and moments of deep honesty with myself. I’ve done it all to break cycles I never wanted to be a part of.
But here’s the thing no one tells you about healing: even when you’ve come a long way, the past still creeps in.
There are days when old wounds resurface — unexpectedly. Something small can trigger a flood of emotions, and suddenly I’m reacting from a place I thought I left behind. Old habits show up, not because I want them to, but because they once helped me survive. But I have to remind myself that I’m not living in survival mode anymore.
I’m safe now
That’s a powerful realization. It means I don’t have to respond to life with my fists up and my heart guarded. I can soften. I can breathe. I can let go.
Of course, it’s a process. Finding peace within myself doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a daily practice — choosing not to let intrusive thoughts take over, choosing to pause before reacting, choosing compassion over judgment. There are still moments of self-doubt, fear, and frustration. But I’m learning to ride those waves without letting them pull me under.
Every single day, I’m showing up for this work. I’m choosing growth, again and again. I’m not perfect, and I don’t claim to be. But I’m man enough to heal. And that, to me, is everything.
To anyone out there who’s on this journey too: you’re not alone. Keep going. Your healing matters. You matter.
