Song: Rising From The Shadows

Songwriter: Karen K Holsinger

“My voice is my gift, revealing truth through my songs, my writing and my ability to walk alone through the pain and to be a beacon of hope for those who feel lost. ”

— By Karen K Holsinger

Disclaimer and Important Notice

The information presented on this website is intended for informational purposes only and should be taken as personal insights rather than professional advice. By accessing or using this website, you acknowledge that all content is based solely on personal experiences and reflections. I am not a licensed physician, therapist, counselor, or legal advisor, and I do not have the authority to provide medical, psychological, or legal guidance.

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or distress, please seek immediate professional assistance. Call 911 or contact a trusted individual to discuss your feelings openly. Support is available, and you are not alone.

While I strive to share insights with sincerity, humility, and kindness in the hope of encouraging positive change, I make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of any information shared. The use of this website and its content is solely at the discretion of the reader.

May you find peace, strength, and clarity wherever you are, and may you always remember that there is light beyond the darkness. May peace, strength and clarity be with you wherever you are and know that you are not alone!

Song: Privacy Blur Hides Faces From Time

Songwriter: Karen K Holsinger

“Trauma’s- What I wish I knew at any age, you’ll read in 11 minutes.”

— Karen K Holsinger

“You too can walk through this world with light in your step, light in your life and light to share with others, even in the darkest of crevices unseen, crevices unknown, you can make a difference in your life, one moment, one thought, and one change at a time. You’ve got this and you are not alone.”

— Karen K Holsinger

The first thing I can tell you about trauma bonding and why we do it, it is from how we have been conditioned in our belief's system, our nervous system and our bodies system as a whole and why and how trauma bonding attaches itself so easily to our own self. It is through repetition. We learn what we are taught. If we learn from our childhood how to behave, how to act or react, this stems into a belief system that becomes our own. Have you tried to tell the truth, only to be shamed? Have you expressed feelings of uncertainty? Do you doubt yourself, become detached from your emotions, or have you felt like a shadow when you tried to use your voice, your emotions, your feelings, only to be told that if you keep up this behavior, you're going to be given something to cry about, feel sorry about? Has your truth been doubted by someone else or several people, and have you had people or a person make you feel as though you aren't worthy of having a voice? Have you had anyone tell or show you with their actions towards you, that you aren't worthy of feeling good, you aren't worthy of greatness in your life, you aren't worthy of anything, other than what that person or people put upon you? You are not alone if you have said yes to any of the questions I ask of you, as I have asked these same questions to myself, time and time again, year after year.

Listen, you are important! You are certainly not a doormat for anyone, so do not think that. Do not limit your beliefs, your emotions, your feelings, your thoughts, your truth! I myself have suffered years of trauma, from the time I was a little girl into my teens. My innocence was taken from me at a young age, the age of 5 that I recall, until roughly 13 or 14 years of age by whom I thought I could trust, who I loved whole heartedly, who I thought would be one to protect me from any harm. Boy was I in for a huge disappointment. I had been conditioned over time to think, act, behave and become a certain way throughout that time, I thought was normal. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening the older I have become. My life has been through so many ups and downs, so many turmoil’s, abuses, neglect and my childhood innocence, that was stripped away from my human experience, and it set the precedence for how my life would turn out, and I never knew how profoundly it would shape the decisions I made throughout my life, because I did not know any better.

I have lived through sexual abuse, sexual assaults, physical abuse, emotional abuse, mental abuse and many other events that have shook me to my very core. As a child, I heard from a trusting family member, these words, when the abuse first started. "What is so special about you? Well, let's just see how special you are!" My world was turned upside down in a matter of one second, I tried to go to authorities in the school system, only to be shamed, I tried to go to adult teachers in the school system, only to be shamed and the way the school resolved it, they called my parents to come pick me up because I was ill, that was how the school system handled it. I tried going to parents of my best friends in elementary school for help and guidance, only to be shamed, to have the door shut in my face, every time and told I cannot hang out with my best friend anymore, I couldn’t come over anymore and to just go home. I never felt more alone, confused and lost than I did each and everywhere I turned. I went to one of my parents as an adolescent, only again, to be shamed, and if I spent days crying, I was told, "stop crying, or I will give you something to cry about!" I have lived not knowing where to go, who to turn to, who to trust, who to go to for support, for guidance and I had no idea the impact this would have on me, my dreams, my life as I go through the rest of my adult years of my life, living with shame, difficult for me to trust anyone and walking alone through life, for many years to come. How do you know to heal, how do you know this is not normal behavior, how do you undo what has been done to you, how do you know, anything? How do you advocate for yourself if there is no-one advocating for you, based on the information you try to share to voice the truth? You don’t, because you don’t know where to turn or where to go from here, so you begin making the wrong choices, Period.

I learned to question my life, my thoughts, my emotions, my feelings, my state of mind and I learned that what happened to me, was not normal. Unfortunately, for me I have the type of memory that has recorded everything from my childhood, through my adolescence into my teen life, into a young adult into a woman, and I can tell you from my own personal experience, I have constantly questioned myself, my thoughts, my emotions, my mindset, and so on. I have lived questioning everything and that makes it hard to live a fulfilled life. The not knowing, what you thought you knew at the time.

I grew up in a time where there were certain things people didn’t talk about, things that were brushed under the rug and should have been talked about. Do to the number of trauma's I have personally endured, I have prayed because that was the only thing I had left, I asked God to walk with me in my life, to keep me from harm, and along the way I have learned not to give up, to fight for another day, fight for another breath, fight for a sense of peace, stability and security, even though I would only to be disappointed time after time, again and again, and through it all, I kept praying! Praying that someday and somehow, someone, anyone would see what I was going through and put a stop to it. Boy, was I disappointed time and time again, year after year. Now, I am an adult and up until last year, 2024, I did not and felt I could not speak a word of it to anyone. Nobody knew, except I knew, and I have held onto this my whole life. I also went through a miscarriage on my own at the age of 19 and never told a soul. Why not? Fear, fear of being shamed once again. I couldn’t handle anymore shame on top of the shame and these burdens I had been carrying already. It had shaped every decision I made in my life and in my relationships and shattered my dreams into stillness, darkness and untrusting of others. I am now learning to reprogram my mindset, my beliefs and my life through my writing. Writing, creating music and my artwork has been my healer, my therapy, my outlet in helping myself into letting go of what is not meant for me in this part of my life, and the road believe me has not been easy to navigate, but I am a fighter and I am fighting for myself, my life, and my peace!

Even though I have many years of experiences, I am still a work in progress. I am not perfect by all means but I can tell you one thing, I have never given up, nor will I as long as I have a breath to take. To this day, I am being told what to do, how to feel, how they don’t understand what I have gone through, and you know what, they are right They don’t understand, how could you understand or fathom the impact it has unless you have lived through it? Unless you have experienced it, or anything close to what I have been through, you can’t and won’t understand. This has been my journey but as my journey unfolds, as I unpack my suitcase of burdens, scars and shed light on my truth, it allows me the time I need to heal, to let go, forgive myself for what I hole and held onto, forgive others, to trust again and have faith that my life is about to change for the better, because I am aware of what trauma really means, as I am living proof and am living through it today. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so I keep moving forward, searching for guidance, advocating for myself and following through with what works for me, so I can take however much time I need, for me to heal from the inside out. I have done a lot, I mean a lot of hard work to get to this point, this point I am at in my life and because I have fought my whole life to find my place in the world, I am at peace knowing , I am discovering who I truly am, I am rediscovering my truth and I am now writing the pages to my own story, one prayer at a time, one day at a time. I am not worrying about tomorrow, what will tomorrow bring, what’s going to happen tomorrow, because honestly none of us know what tomorrow will bring in this healing journey. This is my story, and I am rewriting my story book, one page, one day, one thought, and one action at a time.

Healing isn’t just an act of solitude—it’s a path of healing, resilience, and rediscovery. It’s learning to trust yourself again, to embrace the quiet spaces where growth unfolds, and to find strength in the moments that once felt empty. Every step forward is a testament to your courage, a reminder that even in solitude, you are never truly alone.

Healing begins when you allow yourself to see the world with fresh eyes—finding beauty in the way sunlight dances on water, in the laughter of strangers, in the quiet wisdom of books and music that speak to your soul. It’s recognizing that challenges don’t define you; rather, they shape you into someone wiser, someone stronger. The past may have left scars, but those marks are proof of the battles you’ve overcome, the lessons you’ve carried forward.

There is immense power in walking this path with intention. Not as a retreat from the world, but as an act of choosing yourself. With time, healing takes root, transforming solitude into self-discovery, pain into wisdom, and resilience into freedom. You are more than the weight of what you’ve been through—you are the light that keeps moving forward, embracing life fully, on your own terms.

You are whole, even now. And that is a beautiful thing.

I have lived my life thinking no matter what I went through, no matter what I endured, I would be a fighter, even if I would have developed thick skin over time, I would amount to something, other than what I was taught and even though I was told that I would never amount to anything or that I would be better than the cards I had been dealt at an early age, I am still here now, putting in the fight!

They say, “time heals.” But does it? Healing isn’t just about waiting—it’s about taking action. For those who have carried pain, silenced emotions, or lived without the tools to understand and process their experiences, time alone is not enough. Without structure, guidance, and a safe space to be heard, wounds may remain, buried deep beneath the surface.

So where do you turn when you realize something isn’t right? If past experiences have shaped your beliefs, your reactions, and even your sense of self, how do you begin to unlearn the patterns that no longer serve you? Healing starts with awareness—recognizing that something needs to change. It’s about finding the right support system, whether through mentorship, counseling, or simply opening up to someone who truly listens.

Our minds are powerful, like a supercomputer constantly processing, shaping, and storing information. If past conditioning has wired you to believe pain is normal, that suffering is just part of life, it’s time to challenge that idea. You were never meant to carry the weight of trauma alone. You were never meant to live in survival mode.

The truth is, healing is possible. Change is possible. You have the ability to move forward—to reframe your thoughts, to seek the right tools, and to step into a life that is not defined by past struggles but shaped by resilience, strength, and hope. The journey begins when you allow yourself to believe that something better is waiting ahead. And it is.

It is time to reclaim your sense of self. While the past may have shaped your experiences, and the present may feel uncertain, healing is both possible and essential. You have the ability to redefine your story by developing the right tools to navigate forward. If you find yourself questioning long-held beliefs, struggling with emotions, or unsure of your next steps, seek guidance beyond familiar circles. Whether it is a mentor, a counselor, or a trusted professional within the justice system, reaching out for support can be a powerful step toward growth.

Consider your mind as a highly sophisticated system—absorbing, processing, and responding based on the information it receives. If it has been conditioned by pain, doubt, or harmful experiences, now is the time to reevaluate and restructure. You are not meant to endure suffering as a norm. The patterns ingrained within you can be transformed, and perspectives that once limited you can be expanded. Progress is always within reach.

You deserve clarity, resilience, and a future shaped by strength rather than past hardships. With determination and the right support, transformation is not only achievable—it is within your grasp. Move forward with purpose and confidence; your journey to healing starts today.

Trauma can take many forms, and its impact varies from person to person. Here are some common types of trauma’s:

Emotional or psychological trauma – Includes verbal abuse, bullying, betrayal, or manipulation.

Physical trauma – Injuries from accidents, assaults, or abuse.

Sexual trauma – Any form of sexual abuse or assault.

Developmental trauma – Childhood neglect, abandonment, or abuse that affects emotional growth.

Vicarious trauma – Experiencing distress from hearing about or witnessing another person’s trauma.

Acute trauma – A single, unexpected event like a car accident or natural disaster.

Chronic trauma – Repeated exposure to distressing events, such as domestic violence or long-term illness.

Complex trauma – Multiple traumatic events over time, often involving relationships or systemic harm.

Trauma is deeply personal, and what affects one person profoundly may not impact another in the same way. Healing is possible, and recognizing trauma is an important step toward recovery. Would you like to explore ways to cope with trauma? Here are a few ways to help you get your feet off the ground and get started.

Walking alone through life isn’t just an act of solitude—it’s a path of healing, resilience, and rediscovery. It’s learning to trust yourself again, to embrace the quiet spaces where growth unfolds, and to find strength in the moments that once felt empty. Every step forward is a testament to your courage, a reminder that even in solitude, you are never truly alone.

You are whole, even now. And that is a beautiful thing.

Healing from trauma is a journey, and you are not alone in it. It doesn’t have to take a lifetime to discover your truth, and every step forward brings you closer to peace, self-acceptance, and freedom.

Recognizing Trauma and Beginning to Heal

Trauma affects everyone differently, but one thing is certain—healing is possible. The first step is recognizing what you’ve been through and allowing yourself to acknowledge its impact. If you’re looking for ways to start your healing journey, know that there are tools, support, and paths to help you move forward.

Healing Through Self-Discovery

Healing isn’t just about moving past the pain—it’s about rediscovering yourself, rebuilding trust in your own voice, and finding strength in moments of stillness. It’s realizing that solitude isn’t loneliness but an opportunity to grow, to breathe, and to step into your own power. Every moment of resilience is proof that you are capable of moving forward.

Seeing the World Through New Eyes

Healing happens when you allow yourself to embrace the beauty around you—the warmth of the sun, the laughter of a stranger, the wisdom in books and music that resonate with your soul. Your past does not define you; instead, it shapes you into someone wiser, someone stronger. The scars of yesterday are reminders that you have endured, learned, and continued forward.

Choosing Yourself Every Day

Healing is not about retreating from life—it’s about choosing yourself, reclaiming your truth, and walking forward with intention. Over time, pain transforms into wisdom, and resilience leads to freedom. You are more than the experiences that have weighed you down. You are a light that keeps moving forward, embracing life on your own terms.

You are whole, even now. And that is something truly beautiful.

Healing from trauma is essential for living a life of truth and self-acceptance. It shouldn't take decades to realize that you deserve healing, freedom, and peace.

Understanding Trauma Bonding-

Trauma bonding happens when people become attached to harmful patterns due to repeated experiences. From childhood, we learn behaviors, reactions, and belief systems based on how we are treated. If we are constantly shamed or silenced when expressing our feelings, we may start believing that our emotions and thoughts aren’t valid. No one deserves to feel unworthy of speaking their truth, feeling joy, or embracing greatness. **You matter.** You are not here to be anyone’s doormat, and your beliefs, emotions, thoughts, and truth deserve to be recognized.

Breaking Free from Painful Conditioning-

Many people suffer trauma at the hands of those they trust the most, and when this happens, it can shape the way they see the world, themselves, and their future. Painful experiences may make someone feel that harmful treatment is "normal" or that they don’t deserve better. But healing starts with recognizing that abuse, neglect, and shame should never define you.

Finding Your Voice and Healing-

No child should ever feel silenced, ashamed, or unsupported when seeking help. Unfortunately, many survivors of trauma struggle to find people who will listen and believe them. If you’ve ever felt rejected, ignored, or punished for sharing your truth, know that your voice matters. Healing is a journey, and it often begins by questioning what we once believed to be normal.

For those carrying deep emotional wounds, you are not alone. The pain of the past does not have to dictate your future. Healing is possible, and you deserve to live free from shame and doubt. Your experiences, emotions, and story are valid, and you have the right to build a life that reflects your truth, strength, and worth.

You are worthy of healing, and it is never too late to begin.

Healing from trauma is a journey—one of strength, growth, and rediscovery. It shouldn’t take a lifetime to realize that you deserve peace, security, and self-acceptance.

The Importance of Speaking Your Truth-

There was a time when certain struggles were ignored, dismissed, or kept quiet. But healing begins when we acknowledge what we’ve been through and find the courage to express it. Overcoming trauma doesn’t mean the pain disappears overnight, but it does mean refusing to let it define you. It means fighting for another day, holding on to hope, and choosing yourself—even when the road feels impossible.

Healing Through Creativity-

For many, healing comes through art, music, and writing—outlets that allow emotions to be processed and released. Self-expression can be a powerful form of therapy, helping to rewrite old beliefs and step into new perspectives. When you create, you are giving yourself permission to let go of what no longer serves you, making room for a future built on truth, resilience, and personal growth.

Finding Strength in Solitude-

Healing doesn’t mean isolation—it means learning to trust yourself, to embrace quiet moments where growth happens, and to recognize that you are never truly alone. Strength comes not from ignoring pain but from facing it and choosing to move forward. The past may leave scars, but those marks tell the story of your survival, your lessons, and your unwavering determination.

You Are More Than Your Pain--

Healing is not about retreating—it’s about choosing yourself, reclaiming your truth, and stepping into a life where you are free to be exactly who you are. Over time, pain turns into wisdom, solitude transforms into self-discovery, and resilience leads to freedom. No matter what you’ve been through, you are more than the weight of your experiences. You are the light that keeps moving forward, embracing life on your own terms.

You deserve healing, and it is never too late to begin. Your truth is yours to own, and the future is yours to shape.

You are worthy—always.

I have spent my life believing that no matter what I endured, I would rise above it. I thought that over time, I would build resilience, become stronger, and create a life beyond the circumstances I was given.

People say, "Time heals all wounds." But does it? Time alone does not heal—it only passes. True healing requires the right support, guidance, and tools to help process pain. If someone has spent years suppressing their emotions, ignoring their wounds, and never finding a safe space to be heard, how can healing truly take place? Without the knowledge or awareness that something was wrong in the first place, how does a person begin to heal?

Healing isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about rewiring the mind, questioning old beliefs, and recognizing that what once felt "normal" may have actually been harmful. Our minds absorb everything we are taught, much like a computer storing data. What you feed into your mind shapes your perspective, reactions, and self-worth. If your mind is weighed down by past trauma, harmful conditioning, or emotional pain, it’s time to clear away what no longer serves you.

You were never meant to carry the weight of abuse, shame, or suffering. You were never meant to be anyone’s punching bag. What you learned in survival, you can unlearn in healing. You have the power to create a new path—one rooted in strength, understanding, and self-acceptance. The journey won’t always be easy, but it is possible, and you are worthy of it.

Healing from trauma is one of the most important journeys a person can take. It shouldn't take a lifetime to realize that you deserve peace, self-acceptance, and freedom from the weight of the past.

Healing Requires More Than Time-

Many believe that time alone heals wounds, but true healing takes effort, awareness, and the right support. If someone spends years pushing down their emotions, ignoring their pain, or feeling unheard, time will not automatically erase the suffering. Healing begins when a person gains the tools, knowledge, and space to process their experiences.

For those who have endured trauma since childhood, it can feel impossible to recognize what needs to heal. What feels "normal" may actually be harmful conditioning passed down through years of survival. Without realizing it, a person may carry false beliefs about their worth, their emotions, and their ability to move forward. But healing is possible when you begin questioning old patterns and finding new ways to reclaim your truth.

Relearning and Moving Forward-

It's never too late to change the way you see yourself and the world around you. Healing is about unlearning harmful beliefs and replacing them with ones that support your well-being. Our minds are incredibly powerful—what we put into them shapes how we think, react, and feel. If your mind has been weighed down by pain, past trauma, or harmful patterns, it’s time to clear away what no longer serves you.

You are not meant to carry pain forever. You are not meant to be treated as less than you are. You deserve healing, and you have the power to create a future built on strength, growth, and self-worth. What you once learned, you can unlearn. And the life you were meant to live can begin today.

Trauma can take many forms, and its impact varies from person to person. Here are some common types of trauma:

Emotional or psychological trauma – Includes verbal abuse, bullying, betrayal, or manipulation.

Physical trauma – Injuries from accidents, assaults, or abuse.

Sexual trauma – Any form of sexual abuse or assault.

Developmental trauma – Childhood neglect, abandonment, or abuse that affects emotional growth.

Vicarious trauma – Experiencing distress from hearing about or witnessing another person’s trauma.

Acute trauma – A single, unexpected event like a car accident or natural disaster.

Chronic trauma – Repeated exposure to distressing events, such as domestic violence or long-term illness.

Complex trauma – Multiple traumatic events over time, often involving relationships or systemic harm.

“How do I heal from Trauma, I do not have the answer for that because I am still a work in progress. I do not have all the right answers, but I do know I am a fighter and a survivor and to be honest, God has been my rock through thick and thin. How many of us have sworn and used God’s name in vain, how many of us say, “oh God, help me!” God, I promise if you take this or that away, I promise I will do better, but how many of us keep our promises? I have been told by a friend that, I am “Man Strong.” I corrected them and I said, no, “I am God Strong!” Whether you believe or not, is solely up to you! Period. ”

— Karen K Holsinger

Song: Walking Alone

Songwriter: Karen K Holsinger

I am sharing a thoughtful and important addition to my website. You can take action in the direction of your own life, by clicking on any of the following links at your own discretion, that pertain to your situation.

One resource is, this global directory of suicide hotlines, crisis lines, and helplines, which provides emergency contacts for various countries.

Another helpful resource is Psychology Today’s list of suicide prevention hotlines worldwide.

If you’re looking for broader mental health and crisis support, HelpGuide.org offers an international directory of helplines covering abuse, addiction, and other urgent concerns.

Adding these links ensures that you as a visitor to my website, can quickly find the right support in your local area. May peace be with you, no matter what you may be going through and no matter where you are in this world, please know that you are not alone!

“https://www.therapyroute.com/article/helplines-suicide-hotlines-and-crisis-lines-from-around-the-world”

— Find a Therapist near you