The Cycle of Me...a Collection of Words and Thoughts: Self-Growth

"Be yourself. People may or may not like you, but it's important that you stay true to who you are." - Anonymous.

"I remember my very first therapy session. It was supposed to help me cope with my parents’ divorce. It was “family” therapy because they felt it was best that we all discuss it together. I was told to read a story about another family that went through a divorce, and it just confused me even more. They told me “It’s not your fault, mommy and daddy love you” and blah, blah blah!"

"There was a time where I hated myself just because I was so obese. I felt un-pretty, not confident, a waste, and I can go on and on... I won’t lie, I still sometimes feel that way. I learned that me, Ali could NOT even get past my outer layer! How can I expect others in my life to get past my outer layer, if I couldn't? I had to find out by peeling back my own layers and finding out what makes me the woman I am. Spending countless hours, days, writing, reflecting, and digging deep into my past. Honesty is something I value, so in order to be honest with others, I had to be honest with myself."

I always felt like an outsider in my own family. I’m tired of hiding behind the smiles, the “I’m okays”… the battle goes beyond the surface; it’s internal. This is my story, through the good, the bad and the ugly; I’m holding nothing back.