Living with PTSD for the past six years has been a daily challenge. My trauma stems from a security role I performed, where I was exposed to circumstances that required me to do things no person should have to do and witness things no one should have to see.
These experiences don't simply fade with time. They've become unwelcome companions in my everyday life. The memories and images resurface unexpectedly—during quiet moments, in dreams, or when triggered by seemingly ordinary sights, sounds, or situations that connect somehow to my past experiences.
What many don't understand about PTSD is how it reshapes your entire world. It's not just about difficult memories; it's about how your nervous system remains on high alert. I find myself constantly scanning environments for threats, struggling with sleep, and sometimes feeling disconnected from those around me who haven't shared similar experiences.
Creating art has become an essential outlet for me. When words fail—and they often do when trying to describe trauma—visual expression offers a different language. Through colors, textures, and forms, I can externalize internal struggles that would otherwise remain locked inside. Some days my artwork reflects the darkness and chaos of traumatic memories; other days it explores glimpses of peace and resilience I've discovered along the way.
The journey with PTSD isn't linear. There are better days and harder days. But through therapeutic support, creative expression, and gradually building understanding about how trauma affects the mind and body, I've found ways to carry my experiences differently. The memories haven't disappeared, but I'm learning to integrate them into my life story without letting them define my entire identity or future.
My hope in sharing artwork from this journey is to connect with others walking similar paths and perhaps help those who haven't experienced trauma understand its complex reality a little better. Most importantly, I want to demonstrate that even in the aftermath of experiences that no person should endure, healing—though not always straightforward—is possible.
