Still Standing: Living with PTSD One Day at a Time

Living with PTSD isn’t just something that happened to me in the past — it’s something I still live with every single day. And I don’t say that for pity or attention. I say it because it’s the truth.

There are mornings I wake up already exhausted — not physically, but emotionally. Nights filled with tossing, turning, or nightmares can take a lot out of you. Sometimes I wake up in a panic, not even sure why. My body remembers even when my mind tries to forget.

I still jump at loud noises. I still get overwhelmed in crowds. I still find myself needing to sit in my car for a few minutes before going inside anywhere — just to breathe, just to get my head on straight.

But here’s the thing: I’m still here.

Some days surviving means taking deep breaths and doing the bare minimum. Other days I feel strong enough to tackle a to-do list or talk about what I’ve been through. I’ve stopped expecting myself to be “normal” — whatever that even means — and started honoring where I’m at each day.

What’s helping me right now?

Grounding myself. Whether it’s holding something cold like an ice cube or naming 5 things I can see, I do what I can to stay present.
Journaling. I write the raw, ugly stuff. I don’t worry about spelling or grammar — I just get it out.
Talking to someone. Sometimes it’s a friend, sometimes a therapist. Saying the hard things out loud lightens the load a little.
Setting small goals. Some days it’s as small as getting out of bed and brushing my teeth. And when I do, I celebrate that.
Letting go of guilt. I remind myself that healing isn’t a straight line. There’s no deadline.

If you’re reading this and you’re in the thick of it too, I want you to know something — you’re not broken. You’re not weak. PTSD is not who you are. It’s something that happened to you, not something that defines you.

We’re surviving, one breath at a time. And that’s enough for today.

PS: I’ve created some mental health resources that have helped me — from DBT skills to self-care planners and grounding tools. If you’re looking for something gentle to support your healing, you’re welcome to visit my Etsy shop: Angel Vigour Digital.

Whether you explore the shop, leave a comment, or just take a deep breath — thank you for being here. You’re not alone.

With Heart,