Talking About the Painful

Written by Filsan Abdiaman

These are snapshots of a letter I wrote a friend and my parents telling them about a secret I was too embarrassed to share.

Looking back, there are times in my life when I had no words to describe what I would feel, like the pain I felt inside that no one else could see.

Burning tears would stream down my face when I was all alone for every time I lied to friends and family saying that I was doing alright instead of speaking my truth.

I remember those days like it was yesterday, but what I remember too, is the feeling of relief for having told my story once I was brave enough to do so. And that memory is one that lingers longer and lighter than all the pain and suffering that I silently endured.

This is a short post to stand in solidarity with all those that suffer in silence, but it is also a post to remind us all to share our stories and speak our truth. Only then can we truly love ourselves.

written at the end of 2017

written at the end of 2019

written at the end of 2019