I can remember during my growing up years, hearing and old adage that went something like this: “There are only two things that are certain in life, death and taxes”. Well, in my opinion, there’s one other thing that is certain and equally unavoidable, and that’s Change.
For as much as we try to control our own destiny, and make our life turn out the way we hope and dream it will, there will inevitably be times when life throws us a curve ball in some way. Circumstances change, good things happen, trying times come about, life goes on every day, and being able to adjust to those changes is a key part of our personal growth. It’s an integral part of our emotional well-being and contentment with who we are and where we are headed.
For survivors, adapting to change can be very difficult, and believe me I’m no exception to that. However, sometimes change can be a good thing, opening us up to new possibilities and pathways towards something exciting, something that we may have dreamed of and been working towards for a long time.
Such is the case for me at this point in my life, and the reason for this post.
As you may know, I started this blog back on February 4th, 2016; that’s the day that very first post went up and Surviving My Past was born.
What started out as just me trying to find a space to speak out and not be ashamed of my past as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, narcissistic abuse, and bullying, has blossomed into something even more validating and encouraging than I ever thought was possible.
I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to help share the stories of many, many survivors across the globe. People who want to tell the world that they are not ashamed, and they are no longer defined by a traumatic past that once ruled their lives. The guest bloggers who have so bravely opened up and shared their story to validate and encourage others, have touched not only my life in amazing ways, but the lives of so many who have read their story and felt connected and validated.
Surviving My Past is a safe place for all who want to share their story, or simply just want to read and feel affirmed that they are not alone in their struggles, and that there is hope. That will never change!
So what is changing then? Well, as you may have noticed, there has been a decrease in the frequency of new content on the blog. What started out with 4-5 posts per week at times, has gone down 1 or 2 per week. That is because my life is transitioning as I work towards my goal of changing careers into a role of advocacy as a Certified Life Coach and Trauma Recovery Coach.
Ever since I began my own healing journey, and had the privilege of working with an amazing therapist and afterwards an equally incredible life coach, I could feel a shift happening inside me. Not only in moving from victim to survivor and thriver, but also a change in what I wanted out of life.
I’ve spent the majority of my career to date working in computers, being part of corporate America in one form or another, but the time has come for me to finally embrace my true calling in life (even if it did take me a long time to find it). Pursuing this dream of working with, and helping others overcome what is holding them back, in any form, is something that I think about and focus on every day of my life.
The times when I feel fully alive, fully present, and fully engaged, are those times when I work on this blog; writing posts, recording podcasts, or doing videos on Sunday Mornings. Now it’s time to take that to the next level and work towards finishing up my certifications and launch my coaching business later this coming Fall, 2017.
To that, I ask for your patience and understanding, as the content here on the blog won’t come as frequently as it did before, but it will still come. I continue to record podcasts every week and receive guest posts from those who wish to share their story, and I will work to get them published here as I am able to find time to do so. The schedule of classes during the week and the homework, the review time in between along with being a parent and holding down a full-time day job has taken over most the time that I could previously devote to the blog.
This is an exciting time for me, and a future of helping others is driving me on a daily basis to do everything I can to succeed, for myself and for every person that I will work with in the future. You guys all deserve the very best in every possible way and that’s what I have always strived to do here and what I still strive to do in my future coaching practice.
If you would like to be added to the waiting list for when I launch my new coaching career, just simply fill out your name and email address below, and I will contact you as the time gets closer to ramping things up. There is no obligation of course and I will never spam you or share your information; it just lets me know that you may be interested in talking about the possibilities of my future 1 on 1 or group coaching programs, available online, through video, or phone, that will be rolling out in late 2017 and into 2018.
In the coming months I’ll be unveiling a brand new Coaching website that will include all types of content, courses, classes, and more! Again, rest assured friend, Surviving My Past will remain and will always be a place of sharing, validation, encouragement, and support.
The future is yours, friend, and if you are ready to start moving forward from a past that is holding you back, in any capacity, then I would love to talk with you. I am a survivor just like you. I have been through the trials of relationships, career, family, and social struggles, just like you. I’ve been there and I know there is hope. My journey is not done and neither is yours. Let’s rock this out together!
-Matt
Feature image courtesy of Pixabay. Social Media image created using Canva.
Everything I’ve done has changed over the years. Where I started out and where I am now, is not the same. Yes, there are elements and parts that remain, but how I work with them is different. Glad you’re continuing to change and no it isn’t always easy (especially for us survivors), but important. I’m in that process of evaluation again for my own life because i want to be effective at helping others, not getting bogged down in the details.
I love what you write Matt. You write from your heart. You share from your heart. When I read your blog posts, it feels like I’m there with you, learning and growing and experiencing what you are. So, here’s a big thank you for all you do. You definitely rock the survivor journey!
Thank you Don, I appreciate your support and friendship so much man! Yes, change and re-evaluating our direction can be very difficult, even when we know it’s a good thing. I’m just so excited for what the future holds in working as a Coach and helping others in similar ways that I was. We all deserve the very best support we can get!
Matt, I am so excited for you and for the survivor community. It’s incredible to think what can transpire in a short period of time when we are truly doing what we are meant to do. Your expertise as a blogger, podcaster, and soon, a coach is so needed. It’s been my privilege to get to know you & your work. I’m here cheering you on!
Thank you Heather. I consider myself blessed to have met you and to continue working and advocating with you. You are always welcome on the podcast or the blog anytime, and I’m excited at what the future holds for both of us.