It’s OK if your journey is imperfect
Megan Young is this month’s guest thriver blogger. Her experience with healing from complex-PTSD reflects her faith, personal growth, transformational therapy and love of community and family – each piece taught her that wholeness was attainable.
Her passion is sharing stories to give hope and encouragement and providing resources to help you on your Imperfect Journey. This blog will share her story and on the 15th of the month, she will share the multitude of resources she has available to you!
Thank you Megan!
Have you ever had to write your bio?
Oh, my word, it is tough!
As I worked with a web designer to create a home for The Imperfect Journey, one of the most challenging aspects of the website was the About Me page.
A wise friend suggested I write my unedited story and then condense it. Easier said than done.
As I wrote my story, I kept thinking of Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us. Brene asks her guests, “Tell me your story,” at the beginning of each episode.
So I placed myself as the interviewee and answered the questions…
About Me
- I’m Megan, a wife, mother of three, and writer.
- I created the Imperfect Journey website to share healing, growth, and transformation stories.
- My passions are creating community and curating resources to support you on your Imperfect Journey (I’ll share more about that on the 15th).
More About Me
- When I was seven years old, my home and family split apart, and it kept splintering, which left me feeling alone, scared, sad, and angry.
- Being so young, I didn’t know how to live in this broken new world.
Seeds of Faith
- My mother modeled a strong trust in God and believed faith could heal all wounds.
- I believe that, too, although I also know God uses people, therapy, and other tools in His healing process.
- Growing up, my mom was part of a regular prayer group whose unshakeable faith made a lifelong impact on me.
- As a child, I found a private place to pray, journal, and read the Bible.
Quest for Healing
- I felt broken, but I also knew God had me in His grip.
- There was a vivid image of a giant hole in my heart.
- Although unsure how, I trusted that someday, God would mend that hole.
- Besides being a woman of faith and prayer, my mom filled our home with books and tapes about psychological healing and personal growth. She took us to family counseling, and that experience later propelled me to seek therapy for healing, transformation, and wholeness.
New Home, New Challenges
- When I was fourteen, we moved from Ohio to Alabama.
- Even though moving from the Midwest to the South was a culture shock, it was a relief to escape the location of painful memories and find a fresh start.
- I encountered community, fellowship, and a new kind of faith through involvement with Young Life.
- However, I lost ground during these uncertain teenage years when I became involved in an abusive relationship, but I learned valuable lessons that became part of my imperfect journey.
In the Valley
- As a freshman at Auburn University, I met my future husband, and things were going well – until they weren’t.
- My world fell apart sophomore year when panic attacks and anxiety gripped me and took over.
- I could not attend class or hardly leave my house. Although my world felt upside down, prayer, therapy, and community sustained me.
Learning and Growing
- I moved to Atlanta, where I trained as a Montessori teacher.
- Fascinated with child growth and development, I connected my past and current problems. This link facilitated more healing.
- However, the hole in my heart was not whole, and my anxiety persisted.
- In addition, uncovered memories of sexual abuse affected my marriage.
- As we worked through this new phase of my imperfect journey, my husband continued to be instrumental in my transformation.
- Eventually, we started a family, which has been one of the most significant sources of healing.
- Creating a safe and loving home allowed me to experience what I lacked as a child. Yet, I continued to hunger for wholeness.
The Journey Continues
- At the age of 48, I re-enrolled at Auburn University to fulfill a lifelong dream of completing my degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
- Through my coursework, I encountered constant triggers from the past.
- Then, I met a therapist trained in trauma therapy, which was life-changing.
Life is an Imperfect Journey
- I am grateful God filled the hole in my heart and made me feel whole.
- My healing, growth, and transformation continue.
- My ultimate desire is to inspire and encourage others to keep going forward.
It’s not easy to share my story, but I firmly believe that sharing our stories brings healing and hope to one another. That is my desire for this Thriver Tribe!
Where are you in your journey?
- Seeking to sow seeds of faith?
- In a space of challenge?
- In a quest for healing?
- In the valley?
- Learning and growing?
- Embracing your imperfect journey?
Blessing to you and your unique story!
Walking the Journey with You,
Megan
A Gift from The Imperfect Journey
If you would like to receive:
- a dose of inspiration on the Blog
- a highlighted resource from the Transformational Toolkit
- a hope-filled story from a fellow Imperfect Journey Community member
Make sure to check junk, spam, or promotions if you do not receive an email. You can always reach out to me at info@theimperfectjourney.org
Talk To Tambry
I am glad you have taken the time to engage with this blog. Sometimes it is helpful to process new insights that emerge. If you would appreciate brief time with a someone who understands, our Talk to Tambry offering is for you. For 30 minutes, you can receive support from Tambry who is a certified life coach, spiritual director and a survivor who has been on the journey as well. This is offered at a reduced rate of $50.
