From victim of domestic violence to healed.
It was 2013 and I had been living a nomadic lifestyle with a man I should've been running from. One minute he was prince charming the next arrested for unlawful imprisonment, harassment and destruction of private property. I was in a terrifying cycle of abuse and in desperate need for a safe place to express myself. I'm not going to get into the details of what I had endured for years but I will tell you I am living proof that you can learn your worth, love yourself, and create incredible masterpieces when you cope creatively.
I had just left the Adirondacks and New York State with this man and moved into a one room tiny cabin in Massachusetts. This is where I discovered my talent. There came a point when I wasn't allowed to have friends, wasn't allowed to work and had to stay home. The two things I could do was hike and pray. We had very little at that time and that too motivated me to create. I went out on a hike and brought back birch bark, pinecones and a few other things from nature. With this I made my very first rustic pieces. They were a small mirror and a coat rack. I realized that when I was creating art/ décor, I was also creating a safe place to express myself. This was a very important discovery in releasing all of the trauma and healing from it. Sometimes we just need to realize safety does exist and some of us need to feel that in order to believe it. I wanted consistency, stability, and safety and I needed to want those more than to be loved by someone. After a couple years of living hell I packed up my suitcase covered in bruises and started over alone. Two things saved me. God and having a safe place to express myself.
I continued making décor pieces and gifted them for years but hadn't sold any until my son was born in 2017. At that time I was entirely motivated to be more healed so that I could break generational curses/ bad habits and mindsets. When people use the phrase blood sweat and tears go into their work I genuinely live it. There were many nights where I would stay up until midnight just to work on art after my baby went to sleep. To sleep when baby sleeps wasn't a reality for me. Is it ever though? I wanted to provide for my son and raise him; these were the newest goals. I didn't want babysitters, grandparents or schools raising my child; I am dedicated to doing that. He is worthy. For the first year or two of selling I attended several events to get a feel for my target audience, my competition and more. It was almost two years later that I was welcomed into the juried event called the Rustic Furniture Fair in Blue Mountain Lake. If you know anything about this event its only the best of the best and was an incredible honor to be a part of. Attending events, making valuable connections, and receiving generous compliments helped me acknowledge my self worth.
During the years of healing I wasn't afraid of growth, therapy, spiritual healing and doing whatever it took to love myself so that I could be the mom my son deserves, the woman I deserve to love. I decided that I wanted to also help others cope with creativity and be exemplary to those who are victims of domestic violence. I do this in various forms like while hosting DIY classes or at events. In the process of healing I also decided to never drink alcohol again and as of today it's been several years since I touched a drop of alcohol. Firstly I made this choice for my son, then I learned I was worthy of a sober mind and love too. Although it has been many years since the original DV relationship, I sometimes still cry when I make art. I let it all out; I learned to have a voice and that it's ok to feel. I learned how to feel the feels, speak my truth, and not get stuck in the negative emotions for too long. When you own a piece of my art your supporting more than a dream. You are supporting an adventure to teach others their worth, encouraging healing and creativity, and a mother providing for her child. With all of that being said, today I am in a healthy relationship with someone who supports all of my endeavors and goals.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.(NCADV)
If you are someone who has experienced abuse whether it's physical, emotional, or even economic abuse I am praying for you. You are worthy of love, kindness, and healing. I became what I wanted in a partner and that was when I started to attract and entertain only people who delivered the same standards and characteristics in which I provide. I learned how to love me and I couldn't have ever accomplished that in any toxic environment. I couldn't have done it without God and a safe place to express myself. I broke the cycle, I broke many, and so can you.
Sincerely,
Tricia
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