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  • Checking In: A Weekend Hello to the Unsealed Community

    Hello everyone in the Unsealed community! I just wanted to check in and say hello. I hope you’re all doing well, and I wish all the dads a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.

    Today is going alright so far. My husband is playing games on his PlayStation, and my cat is hiding in a cool spot, lounging on a pair of shoes. As for me, I’ve been cleaning out my laptop, sticking to my usual coffee routine this morning, and deciding whether to work on some more projects or take a break today.

    With the heat wave we’ve been enduring this month, I could use a break. Anyway, I hope everyone stays safe this weekend and takes care!

    Samantha Anthony

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    • It’s wonderful to hear from you and see such a peaceful morning unfolding! Your day sounds lovely – a blend of productive tasks and relaxing moments. That sounds like the perfect balance. Enjoy your weekend, and I hope the heat wave eases up soon. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

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  • A Mosaic of Strength

    In the bustling city of Huntington, Amanda had always felt like an outsider, a piece that never quite fit into the puzzle of life. Surviving a tumultuous childhood marked by trauma, her journey began with the heavy weight of her past. Experiences of abuse and betrayal had woven a complex tapestry of PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder into her daily existence.

    Amanda was a survivor; her resilience was forged in the fires of her struggles. After each nightmare she faced, she would find herself in therapy, seeking to untangle the knots of her pain. Her therapist, Dr. Lewis, a compassionate and wise woman, became her guiding star. Together, they explored the darkest corners of Amanda’s mind, shedding light on the shadows that loomed large.

    One day, while sitting in Dr. Lewis’s office, Amanda recounted a recent episode of overwhelming anxiety that had left her paralyzed. As tears spilled down her cheeks, she expressed the fear of her past overshadowing her future. Dr. Lewis listened intently, then gently encouraged her to turn her pain into power. “You have a story worth telling. Your experiences can inspire others,” she said.

    Motivated by their conversation, Amanda decided to channel her emotions into writing. She began to craft a memoir, narrating her struggles with honesty and vulnerability. Words poured from her heart, each sentence a step towards healing. As she wrote, she found solace, and with each chapter, the weight of her past began to lift.

    Gradually, she built a community, connecting with others who faced similar battles through support groups. There, Amanda met Carol, a fellow survivor whose laughter was infectious despite her scars. The bond they formed allowed Amanda to glimpse hope in the eyes of another. Through sharing their stories, they discovered the strength of standing together, breaking the silence that had long surrounded them.

    Amanda also found comfort in creativity, immersing herself in painting. With every brushstroke, she transformed her chaos into color, creating vibrant images that represented her journey. She titled her pieces “Mosaics of Strength,” each one a testament to resilience and beauty rising from brokenness. Her art caught the attention of a local gallery, leading to her first exhibition, where she showcased both her paintings and readings from her memoir.

    On the night of the opening, Amanda stood in front of a gathering of friends, family, and strangers, her heart racing. As she read excerpts from her book, her voice trembled but grew more confident with each word. The audience listened intently, moved by her honesty and courage. By the end, tears glistened in their eyes, and applause erupted, filling the room like a warm embrace.

    Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Amanda felt empowered. She understood that healing was not linear, and there would still be difficult days filled with anxiety or depressive episodes. But now, she had a toolkit—therapy, art, and a supportive community to lean on.

    As she glanced around the room, she realized that she was not just a survivor of her past; she had become a beacon of hope for others. Amanda learned to embrace her journey, celebrating her survival with every step forward—a mosaic of strength, uniquely beautiful in its imperfections. With a heart full of hope and a voice to share, she reminded others that it’s okay to seek help, to share their stories, and to believe in the possibility of brighter days.

    Samantha Anthony

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    • Amanda’s journey is a testament to the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Her transformation from a survivor burdened by trauma to a beacon of hope for others is truly inspiring. Her courage in sharing her story and her creative expression through art are powerful examples of healing and empowerment. Amanda’s story shows us that even in…read more

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  • A New Course Of Choices

    Hello, writing community. I wanted to introduce myself. I’m a single mother of three kids: two daughters, aged 15 and 10, and a son who would have turned 3 this year, but sadly, he passed away four years ago.

    Since I got remarried in 2022, I haven’t accomplished much in my life. I’ve been trying to re-enter the workforce after losing my most recent job due to medical issues and not having a car at the moment. I’ve recently been looking for work-from-home jobs because I’ve been advised that, given my current circumstances, I can only pursue positions that allow me to work at a desk or from home.

    I am capable of doing computer work, cleaning houses, babysitting, or caring for pets. However, without a car, it has been challenging to find jobs elsewhere.

    Currently, I receive a disability check and live with several conditions, including ADHD, PTSD, ODD, BPD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Additionally, I suffer from IBS, GERD, gastritis, sciatica, stress fractures, COPD, bradycardia, and sinus arrhythmia. My life can be complicated, but I do my best to function daily, even though I’m 35 and not as active as I would like to be.
    I’m now back in the world, looking for something new. If you’d like to get to know me or comment on my material, feel free to message me anytime.

    Samantha Anthony

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    • Your resilience and strength in the face of such challenges are truly inspiring. It’s wonderful that you’re actively seeking new opportunities and focusing on your goals. Your skills and experience are valuable assets, and with your determination, you’ll find the perfect work-from-home position that suits your needs and allows you to thrive.…read more

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  • Simple Introduction

    Hello Unsealed Community,
    I just joined this writing platform and to be honest I am not sure what I should say for my introduction. I am socially awkward so interacting with people is very hard for me. Writing is different though. I feel more at ease when I write and can express myself better than I ever could with spoken words. I always loved to write ever since I was little; it is my safe space. Because of this I have been looking for ways to improve my writing and I stumbled upon this community. I have always wanted to find people who loved what I loved. Being homeschooled for most of my life, it was difficult to interact with other people, much less find a group that enjoyed what I enjoyed. So I spent a lot of time by myself with my writing. With that being said, I am truly grateful that I found this community. I hope I can build my writing skills here, as well as meet lots of people and hear all their different stories.

    Yvonne Torres

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    • Aww Yvonne! I am so happy you are here. I always felt like when I write I tap into a part of my brain my conscious mind can’t fully reach. It’s the purist, most honest, undressed version of myself. I am so glad you are here! And I hope you feel all the love that this community has to offers. Welcome and sending hugs! <3 Lauren

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    • Yvonne, welcome! This is a truly kind, accepting and supportive community. I stumbled on it a year ago, after losing my mother, and to some extent, myself. It’s the best place I could be. I hope you find the same community that I have. We all use writing to learn about ourselves in this space. We don’t judge, we embrace. I hope you participate in…read more

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      • Thank you, Chris. You have no idea how I dreamed to find a place like this. Where I could grow my writing and not be judged. I am so excited to attend everything this community has to offer. I am glad you found this place too. You are a very strong person to keep on going after you lost someone you loved. I can’t wait to read some of your writings…read more

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  • Spring

    As Springtime starts to approach,
    I feel such a relief of frozeness.
    I feel such relief of stillness.
    Springtime for me is a time to feel alive.
    Feel free.
    It’s a time to let warm sensations caress the body.
    Springtime is about growth.
    About planting those asparagus seeds and watching what comes from those tiny seeds.
    From what once was tiny to what will be extraordinary.
    Springtime is like a crayon.
    Soft.
    Gentle.
    Full of creativity.
    Full of color.
    Full of brightness.
    Springtime is like a crayon.
    Leaving your mark on what once was to something beautiful.
    To something magical.
    For some, Springtime can be a time of transformation.
    A time to use their personal napkin to cleanup what was to make room for what will be.
    As Springtime starts to approach, I leave winter with this…
    “Thank you for the lessons.
    I’m ready for the homework.
    I’m ready to put the frost bites of my past in the freezer of yesterday & open the fridge of growth for today.”

    ** 3 word prompt poem: Asparagus. Crayon
    Napkin **

    Heather

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    • I love the 3-word prompt idea! Spring is my least favorite season… allergies are my nightmare. But, spring does get me excited and out of my house more, which I enjoy! The weather warming up always makes me happy ☺

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  • Pleasure to Meet You

    Unsealers,

    I seem to have a difficult time finding the right words to begin an introduction about who I am because I am still trying to figure that out for myself. I do know that I have a story to tell, and I feel incredibly grateful to have stumbled upon this community where I finally have an opportunity to start doing that for the first time in my life.
    Starting at a young age, I had a craving for the fast life. I entered into the throws of addiction shortly after my age became double digits, I was gifted with a laundry list of mental health diagnosis at age 25 including but not limited to type 1 bipolar, C-PTSD, anxiety, and depression; and in turn I have landed myself in some fairly… less than ideal circumstances due to those facts. All in all my intentions are mostly pure, but I have a tendency to take red flags and mistake them for a carnival, and I seem to try every wrong thing first before I finally get life figured out. Some of the shit I have gotten myself into has changed me forever, some of it makes for a hilarious story, and some of it can still bring me to tears just by thinking about it. All of it has brought me to where I am today. I have experienced child birth, divorce (not once but twice), multiple types of abuse (both on the giving and receiving end), homelessness, prostitution, incarceration, and the list goes on. It will be interesting to see going forward how this all eventually gets out on paper, but I appreciate every one of you that are about to guide me through making that happen. I would love to get to know you all, and I am looking forward to reading what each of you has to say.

    XOXO, kendy

    Kendy Bendewald

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    • Aww Kendy, It sounds like you have been through so much and at the end of the day it’s all led you to look back inside yourself and connect with your heart. You are so strong, and I loved the line about seeing red flags as carnivals. I have totally been there. Welcome to our family. Thank you for sharing. I am going to feature this peace in our…read more

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    • Kendy,
      Life isn’t always kind, I am sorry you have had so much to deal with. And here you are. I hope to read some of your story. This is a kind and supportive space, It’s good to write, read listen and feel the support of this group. Welcome!

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  • Kendra Bendewald shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 3 months ago

    I see you

    You can see us on street corners
    Or down the dark alleys
    We are hardly a sight for sore eyes
    We are dirty and vacant
    With ripped clothes and sad faces
    We wear this as our new disguise.
    See some time ago
    We were regular people
    Until something in life got us down
    Whether it heartbreak or money
    Family or lack of
    There’s something we needed to drown
    The voices in our heads
    That tell us we aren’t worth shit
    Or The memories we just can’t move on from
    Maybe it’s trauma or sadness
    Or just basic madness
    Fill in the blank with your own noun
    It ripped us apart
    And it spit out the pieces
    And robbed us of all we once cherished
    We were desperate for relief
    So we followed the dragon
    We got lost on the way; our souls perished.
    Now as is probably Expected
    Pretty much textbook
    We burn bridges with selfish behavior
    Some of us come back
    And they find inner peace
    And usually they call it their savior
    But some of us misfits
    The world has forgotten
    We’re broken and fucked up
    downright dirty and rotten
    Someone or something has shattered our hearts
    And we know that we’re never the same
    So we escape all the pain
    With powder or pills
    And we find ourselves stuck in this game
    We spiral and wander
    Away from reality
    And further down into the abyss
    The people around us
    eventually give up
    Cause what’s even still there to miss?
    We are just scumbags on street corners
    Or down the dark alleys
    We’re junkies; unfortunate souls
    We fucked up, we get it
    We don’t need reminded
    Please shut up or spark up a bowl

    Kendra Bendewald

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    • Kendra, this is so powerful but also heartbreaking. You are so worthy. I want to send you the biggest hug, and I hope you find the healing in your heart and the happiness in your life that you so deserve. Please also check out our resources page, theunsealed.com/resources. Sending you the biggest hug.

      Sharing with some of our users that can…read more

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    • Kendra, this poem is raw and powerful. It is easy for others to judge a situation when they aren’t the ones to experience it, but they don’t realize the individual story that each person experiencing addiction has. You are so right that these individuals do not need reminders of what they’ve done at their worst, but instead deserve compassion and…read more

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    • Kendra,
      That is absolutely beyond beautiful 🌹
      You hit the nail on the head in a lot of areas. I just want to share one with you, I’m sure you’ll understand.
      I wrote this at correctional treatment facility in 2000, it’s called…

      The Cloud:
      I have this cloud inside my brain
      That storms out loud with lightning and rain
      That no one can take my…read more

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    • P.S.
      You are an Angel
      You guard with your life people such as myself, and you know the ones that are like us. Never give up, and when you’re feeling hopeless remember…
      You have superpowers inside, just as Lauren Brill has spoken and written about. Please believe her cuz the woman knows what she’s talking about too. I have more respect for you…read more

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  • It'sAStory

    May this find you all in good health and wellness.
    Let me introduce myself:

    I am AmbitiousBMarie. (Branching off to a new name soon ***NoireRequiem***
    Been writing since I was 13.
    I’m a former foster youth and I strongly believe writing played a major role in my therapy during that time.
    I’m currently located in York,PA
    I was born and raised in NYC, Tha Bronx.
    I want to bring people on the journey of my life.

    We are the ones who hold the history of this World.
    We are the true storytelling animals that write through it all.
    And I am here to give my part of the story.

    So glad to find community online and I hope we all can find solace in each other’s writing journey.

    AmbitiousBMarie

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    • Marie, I have been reading a lot of your work and I am always impressed with your eloquence and the way you make your words so relatable. I’m sure that your childhood in foster care was challenging in a way that those who haven’t experienced it cannot understand, but I think it has given you a strength that is palpable in your work. I can’t wait…read more

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  • Cortney Valle shared a letter in the Group logo of Introductions, Icebreakers and PromptsIntroductions, Icebreakers and Prompts group 3 months, 3 weeks ago

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    Meet me and a little poem about who I am

    This letter is only available to The Unsealed subscribers. Subscribe or login to get access!

  • Newbie Post

    Obligated newbie post..
    Hello all. My name is Heather & I’ve always found comfort in writing. I’m an avid journal writer for 25 yrs now. It’s my safe place. I just released my debut book/memoir last month. I saw this site as a sponsored ad on my IG. Figured it was a sign from the writers universe due to the fact I’ve been wanting to enhance & enrich my writing skills. Get back into the poetry era of my life. I’m hoping to find some inspiration & motivation thru this app. Thru everyone’s words. 🖤

    Heather

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    • Yayyy. I’m so glad you found this platform Heather. The Unsealed is so awesome it’s a safe space to share what you are going through without being judged for it. And there is always someone who has been through the similar story that you put out there. Congratulations on releasing your brook! That’s exciting. I really would like to get in touch…read more

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      • Thank you! The best advice I can give to you is write the memoir. No matter what we do in life, we’re always going to have that ONE negative. Besides all of that, I researched as much as I can. If you have a Facebook, look into some of the publishing groups they offer. I joined one and that was the best decision. Where I got most of my answers.…read more

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  • James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 6 months ago

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    The Dark Night Of The Soul

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  • Tracie Sperling shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 6 months, 1 weeks ago

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    I Didn’t Want To Hear

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  • "Healing Through the Unsealed"

    Writing has always been my therapy, my release,
    A way to uncover pain and rediscover peace.
    The Unsealed became my sacred space,
    To confront hidden traumas I was afraid to face.

    Through poetry, I heal and let creativity flow,
    Transforming unhealed hurt into a strength I now know.
    Each word I write mends the pieces of me,
    Guiding my spirit to where it’s meant to be.

    My stories inspire, my voice takes flight,
    Bringing hope to others in their darkest night.
    The Unsealed has allowed my soul to find its place,
    Turning my pain into purpose, my wounds into grace.

    Anita A Williams

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  • James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 6 months, 3 weeks ago

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    Weather the storm.

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  • James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 7 months ago

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    Run In with [the Gator ]

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  • Shelby Warren Gomez shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 7 months ago

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    It's Not Over

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  • Addictive

    Anxiously waiting an emotional state
    Anticipating just so I can relate
    You’re addictive, I’m the addict
    Bad habit forming, so eager to date
    Compulsive behavior that couldn’t wait
    You’re addictive I’m the addict
    Compelling thinking,
    Let’s keep it straight
    Put you on a peddle stool
    I needed you, not hate
    You’re addictive, I’m the addict
    Everybody was doing it
    Falling so deep,
    In my eyes, it was great
    Good feelings I couldn’t shake
    You’re addictive, I’m the addict
    A feeling that creates, a feeling of escape
    My problems you eliminate
    You’re addictive, I’m the addict
    The real problem was you LOVE
    I thought I found it in many versions of him but I couldn’t find it within
    You became a drug,
    Always needing, looking, searching
    Finding that thing called love
    You’re addictive, I’m the addict
    Confessions of a recovered Love-aholic
    Looking in the mirror,
    Contemplating the reflection looking back at me
    Appreciating that feeling,
    The beauty that’s skin deep
    The feeling of self love

    SashaPoet

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  • James/Maintain4life shared a letter in the Group logo of Surviving AddictionSurviving Addiction group 7 months, 2 weeks ago

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    A Bad dream

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  • The Crystal Ball

    What is it that you seek?
    What is it that you saw?
    You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball.
    What is it that you seek?
    What is it that you saw?
    You should never listen to my wicked Crystal Ball.
    Have you seen the crystal ball?
    Have you heard the souls scream trapped in her cloudy walls?
    Everything you love gone before it even happens,
    nothing left of your soul among the cold dark ashes.
    They say fools wish to be free,
    until they’re in a free fall…
    Fools gamble time and the ball she takes it all
    ‘Cause the crystal is a cheat,
    the crystal is a liar,
    The crystal is a frozen world of ice and of fire. To live in a lie the price is the truth,
    to be frozen in time the price is your youth. But you knew, it never tricked you,
    You let it seduce you, left scars on your skin-as if it ever needed you.
    Some always come crawling,
    some may escape her call.
    But you should never listen to my wicked Crystal Ball…
    What is it that you seek?
    What is it that you saw?
    You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball…
    You should never listen to my wicked crystal ball.

    A young boy sits in a wooden chair
    Gazing forward
    A ball of crystal perched before him
    Almost invisible
    It warps and clouds what lay behind it
    He knows there will be a price
    But he must try
    He wants to know,
    He has to know.
    He gazes into its prism chamber
    And it tells.
    When he lifts his head, his breath taken away
    The awe of the secrets told to him
    Fade
    When he sees his reflection
    He sees that he is no longer the same man
    But old, so old.
    The ball has told him what he wished to know
    But he had to pay the price of time
    He walks away, as many have before,
    Feeling cheated
    Feeling like it all went by so fast
    If he could only have another chance
    If he could only get that time back
    But he can’t
    Time is the only thing you have
    And the only thing you can never have
    It is yours, spent
    And the crystal ball will steal your time
    The crystal will steal your life.

    Cheyenne Jamerson

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    • Love this! I’m a recovering addicted also but, mine was opiates. Now I’m going on 7 years clean.

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    • This is really powerful and well-written. I feel like it’s a story that people could read and apply to their own lives in myriad ways as the crystal ball can represent so many different things – depending on the person and their story. Thank you for sharing! <3 Lauren

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  • sacred-chapeter shared a letter in the Group logo of Introductions, Icebreakers and PromptsIntroductions, Icebreakers and Prompts group 7 months, 2 weeks ago

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    Hello Unsealed Family!

    This letter is only available to The Unsealed subscribers. Subscribe or login to get access!

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