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Posts by Melissa Santillanez

Melissa Santillanez is a writer on a journey toward self-love. As a survivor of sexual abuse and domestic violence, she has navigated her way through anxiety, depression, panic, low self- esteem, and substance abuse through writing and sharing her pain with others. She loves to connect with others on Instagram at @my_awakened_path or through her blog at myawakenedpath.com.

Melissa Santillanez's Website

I Am a Survivor, Not a Victim, and I’m Grateful for My Pain

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TRIGGER WARNING: This post deals with an account of sexual abuse and may be triggering to some people.

“Emotional pain cannot kill you but running from it can. Allow. Embrace. Let yourself feel. Let your yourself heal.” ~Vironika Tugaleva

I was nine years old, sitting on the couch with my dad, watching a Very Brady Christmas (on my sister’s birthday, December 20th) when he first molested me. Terror, confusion, disbelief, and shame comingled to create a cocktail that would poison me for many years to come.

We grew up in a family that, from the outside, seemed …