I will use my voice and experience to tell the story of how I made it back from the brink of death.

I used to be an imposter.

I used to walk around saying I was normal.

I was not an alcoholic, I just consumed a lot of liquor.

I didn’t have a mental illness, I just heard voices of lost friends.

Who would I be had I admitted the opposite.

If I looked in the mirror and actually told myself the truth.

If I declared to the world, I have a problem and I need help.

Being an imposter drained me of my energy and authenticity.

I posed as someone who against all odds had her life under control.

When really deep down inside I was crumbling.

I was falling apart as a result of the persona I had built for the outside world.

I used to crumble at the sheer thought of living my truth.

After winding up in a treatment program and psychiatric hospitals something shifted.

The day I slept outside in the woods for the last time before having a stranger call 911 because I was unstable, my life changed.

I sat on the side of the road with uncombed hair and weeks old clothes, my life shifted.

I told God if I make it out of this situation, I will never again be silent.

I will use my voice and experience to tell the story of how I made it back from the brink of death.

I also told God I no longer want to be an imposter, I will own my story.

The real me is someone who needs help to make it through life.

I am an alcoholic and have been sober for almost 5 years.

I have schizoaffective disorder and take medication daily to function.

I am someone who has failed in life but I get back up every time.

I continue to struggle with knowing my worth but I fight for my life each day.

I am imperfect and I am human.

Owning my story is richer than living a false narrative.

I am free.

I am liberated.

I am just me and you’re you.

Now go out and own your story.