Hello everyone! I joined this community for many reasons, mostly to express my creativity and begin my journey of finding myself along the way. I am a recent college graduate, a COTA in Occupational Therapy. In my free time, I enjoy dancing, cosplaying, music, and sometimes drawing. I perform with a belly dance troupe, perform burlesque routines, and dance at Renaissance Festivals. Drawing used to be my main passion, comic art mostly, but as years have passed, creative arts have become a struggle to me. The only way to really describe my loss of identity and creative inspiration is to explain my past. Phew, time to get personal.
I initially grew up in a typical household with my mother, father, and older sister. My father had always been an alcoholic, but it never phased me as a child because he hid it very well. At the age of 10, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C and Schizophrenia shortly after. My parents hid this from me for a while until the symptoms became more apparent. My father's drinking and violent behavior increased, causing my mother to leave him. Instead of taking my sister and I with her, she left to move far away with another man. My sister was an adult at this point and moved out of state as well.
At 14, I began taking the role as my father's primary caregiver. He struggled with mental illness, substance abuse, and liver disease. During this time, he was very unstable, attempting to set our house on fire several times, attempting suicide, and punishing me with starvation and verbal abuse. My main escape was school. I graduated in the top of my class and joined any club that would take me away from my home. At the age of 16, I found my father deceased in our home. He died of asphyxiation from choking on his vomit. I am unaware if he attempted suicide by overdosing or if it was accidental. This was the time of my life that I left creativity behind and put survival at the forefront.
I was doing extremely well in school and did not want to leave my community or enter the "system." I began couch surfing until I graduated high school. I made the wrong choices in trusting others that I thought to be friends. From the ages of 16 to 21 my life had became saturated with sexual and physical abuse. I grew up in a rough town outside of a big city, with rough people along with it. Survival was my main objective, and I did whatever it took to have a home. This caused me to change my personality to blend and fit in with whoever would let me stay with them; I lost my identity as a result. I began working at night clubs and camming which finally led me to have more independence.
I moved far away and left that life behind. Now I graduated and am finally building my life back up. This has been an amazing turn around, but I have realized that I really have no idea who I am. I destroyed what was left of my imagination and creativity the day that my father passed away. I am hoping to start my creative expression and figure out who the "real" me is. Thank you for reading my story. I have never publicly posted any of this, which feels great and freeing, but somewhat scary as well.
Welcome to Steemit!
Welcome to Steemit!
Welcome to Steemit!
@bettyxrampage,
SteemiansWelcome indeed, my friend. I found your post via @jamerussells's #excellentblogpost series. I see you have already met @brittandjosie, so know about the things we do to help new at the @steemterminal... You have taken a big step... yes, in deciding to show how life has been for you. But I commend you and hope you realize just how many wonderful people there are on this blockchain. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future, and also; hope you decide to come and see what we have going at the @steemterminal! Here is a direct link to our Discord Group...
Wes...
@alliedforces curate
Keep up the great work!
@enginewitty and @untersatz.The #spreadlovenotwar curation campaign is under the guidance of witnesses You got some love from a member of @thealliance family!
We sincerely hope you find everything you are looking for and have found a new home here.
Hope you find yourself, if you keep writing, perhaps people will give keywords that will trigger pleasant things to build on...
I hope that you don't mind that I used this post as an example of an excellent blog post!Welcome to the Steemit community @bettyxrampage!
Eight suggestions to consider:
be sure to source all of your work, even if it is your own.
If you find yourself overwhelmed and need some guidance, or if you have any questions, there are informed Steemians available who can help you; you can click to go to the Steem Terminal in Discord here:
Have fun and happy Steeming!
Hello Cosplay Betty, I grew up with an alcoholic father as well. My mom went on to remarry. You're brave for moving away. Some people tend to struggle with moving on. Sorry to hear about your father passing away. Creativity comes when you're open, vulnerable, open minded, patient, and especially when you are present. Creativity is like the wind as it comes and goes. Love your style. I love cosplay. I'm glad you are here, Betty.
Very true about creativity! Yeah, I struggle with being vulnerable at times and put walls up. I am trying to work on that, among other things. Thanks and I am glad you're here too! Do you ever go to comic conventions?
Welcome to Steem :-)for comic conventions, you need our own comic book shop owner @blewitt
Word!
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I've yet to attend conventions. Someday. Well, sometimes, you should have walls up. It takes wisdom to know when to be vulnerable. It is an art.
Welcome to Steemit Betty
I read you never publicly posted about any of this, which feels great and freeing, but somewhat scary as well.
I had the same but I am addicted right now
Blogging is what its all about on this blockchain. The best part is that you could earn money.
I have been here for a while and love it!
But be carefull with all your passwords, Never give those up !! They are yours.
For safety tips visit the white paper, or read one of my blog about safety;
Also Appics and partiko are handy apps and Free. For a guide :
I wish you good luck steeming and I Will See you around🍀
Your value and input is appreciated and if you have questions let me know.
Greetings from Brittandjosie from the Netherlands
steemterminal discord inviteI saw your #introduceyourself and its nice to meet you. https://steemit.com/community/@brittandjosie/4-o-clocky-steem-keys-key-to-your-succes-so-secure-them The Steemify App I use is also great, it is available in the Appstore and free, you can See Whats happening in your account. https://steemit.com/busy/@exyle/using-steemify-to-stay-up-to-date-about-the-blockchain-like-project-destiny-please-consider-blockbrothers-for-your-witness-vote https://steemit.com/steem/@verhp11/a-complete-guide-for-new-steemians We (@xcountytravelers and I ) are presenting New comers in Our @Heyhaveyamet blogs, and There is a Discord called SteemTerminal for newbies and All questions, join in, I am on steemit everyday ! You can always leave a comment. https://discord.gg/pxBj9b
Hi Betty, welcome to Steem! Thank you for your openness and honesty.
Diggin that hat.
#haturday
@alliedforces curate
Wow. Incredible intro. Thanks for sharing with us. #comics is the main tag I prowl, so I’m glad I stumbled on your MJ cosplay there. If you do begin to delve back into creative art you’ll find a small but passionate & friendly community here. Welcome to Steem!
Wow that is one of the most honest and real introductions I've ever read, more power to you! I hope that steem will be an outlet for your thoughts and creativity and that you built it into a home for you online. I'm sure your experiences leave you with plenty of ideas and things you want to explore and hopefully, you'll share it with us :)
Wishing you all the best with your blog and journey! You won over a new follower in me
With that past you should be a very strong woman! I wish you the best in the future, sure you deserve it!
Your cosplay of spidergwen is amazing!!
My best wishes for you.
See you!
@Serlanvet.
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Welcome honey. We are an accepting and open bunch here that are super supportive. That's a super tough way to grow up, and though your Mum had her reasons, thats a tough thing to leave kids with. You sound like you have your head screwed on. May your creativity BLOSSOM here... many of us found our confidence on this awsome blockchain. Much love.
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Thank you so much for the kind words. Such a great community here!
It is!!! It's always hard to leave - there are so many awesome people!
Wow. Raw and real intro. Love it...well...not what happened but the idea that you are open to discussing it which I feel is tremendous and brave.
I as well as the rest of the “nerd” community look forward to seeing what awesome shit you can bring here. We are slowly growing the community here but so far it’s an active and loyal one.
See ya around!
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Thank you! I can't wait to start adding my drawings and stories.
That is a really tough start in life and it is great that you are finding ways to make your life better. I consider myself very fortunate to have had a great and supportive family. I hope Steem is a good place for you to express yourself. There can be some nasty people here as they can be very anonymous, but seek out the positive Steemians.
Hello Betty and welcome the the community. I hope you like it here as much as i do.
Wow. Welcome. I personally have lived a very sheltered life but my girlfriend grew up with some horror stories that I am not allowed to talk about. So good for you, for rebuilding and not blaming your past for perpetual victim-hood status. Congratulations on posting this and I hope just bringing some darkness into the light helps to purify it.
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I am raising a glass to toast your journey to you finding yourself. I can't wait to read your blogs as your creativity seeps back into your soul. Welcome to steem!
Thank you very much!
RenWelcome! You have been upvoted by @Steem-aide. We are an account that hand curates Redfish accounts only!
Appreciate the honesty, that alone earned you a follow.
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Thank you!