There are small freedoms that still make me smile. I can read for hours without being scolded. I can listen to Les Misérables as many times as I want (and I do). I can eat what I like, pray without manipulation, and live without walking on eggshells. These may sound like simple things, but for me, they represent peace — and the beautiful truth that my life is my own again.
I’ve been exploring new hobbies, trying things just because I want to. Some stick, some don’t — but each one reminds me that I’m allowed to choose, to play, to exist without fear. Healing isn’t just about getting away from the pain; it’s about learning to live in joy again.