This is just a tiny, minuscule piece of what I’ve endured. "Still I Rise, But Not How You Think" is a reflection on surviving childhood pain, invisibility, and loss. I was shaped by shadows, but I chose to rise—not untouched, but whole—so that I can give love, not just survive.

This piece is me speaking from the parts of my life that shaped me the pain, the chaos, and the moments that forced me to find something deeper than just surviving. It’s about growing up carrying more than I should have, searching for relief in places that almost took me out, and learning what it means to keep going when everything feels heavy. I don’t share every detail, but I share the truth of what it feels like to walk through darkness and still believe there’s light ahead. I wrote this for the version of me that felt unseen, and for anyone who’s ever felt misunderstood. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s proof that even the hardest roads can lead to healing.