The You the Storm Can Not Break-Coping with life-altering events and chronic illness support.

The You the Storm Can Not Break

Remembering who are you in the middle of the storm.

There are times in life—especially when illness, loss, or change turn our world upside down—when we realize we may not fully know who we are anymore. The person we were before may feel distant, and yet, within that distance lies an invitation: to look inward with curiosity, not judgment.

We often form opinions about other people—how they live, what they value, who they seem to be. But how often do we pause to ask those same questions of ourselves? Not just “What can I do?” or “What’s left of me now?” but “Who am I beneath it all? What do I truly believe, and what do I stand for?”

This is a gentle time of rediscovery. Your identity likely carries both what has changed and what remains steadfast. we see ourselves through a lens that is shaped by our experiences, fears, and hope and it’s natural for us to find that our perception self can be different from how others see us. Awareness of these layers is where self-understanding begins.

Clarifying What Matters Now

When life changes, our core values can become harder to see, but they do not disappear. This is a chance to pause and ask what still matters to you now. You may find that some priorities have shifted and you may also discover that certain parts of yourself are still steady, even in the middle of change.

Understanding your core values can guide you when life feels uncertain. It can also help you protect your energy, set limits, and anchor you during difficult times. As you explore, let these reflections be less about proving or fixing, and more about noticing. Remember there are no right or wrong answers here—only possibilities waiting to be uncovered. You do not have to define everything perfectly. Start with what feels true. Let what matters rise to the surface in its own time.

Start by being honest about what needs to be simplified and focus on the few things that matter most right now.

• Where does most of your time, energy, and attention actually go.

• What drains you and what restores you.

• What truly matters to you.

• Do you make room for rest, because rest is not wasted time.

Consider the questions below as you reflect, grab a pen and paper if you want to take notes or contact me if you would like a downloadable form. Writing down your thoughts can help surface beliefs you’ve forgotten or even reveal truths you haven’t yet named. Let curiosity lead you.

Be kind to yourself through these questions. Every honest answer shows your courage to look within.

Reflections of who I am

EXERCISE ONE- Things that make me happy or sad

Use the chart below to first make a list of things that make you happy, bring you comfort, joy, peace, or relief. These can be small things or big things—anything that helps you feel more like yourself. (Fresh air, family, my pet, favorite music, kindness from strangers) There are no right or wrong answers. Just begin writing whatever comes to mind until you have at least 15 things. Keep thinking, you can do it.

Now make a second list of things that feel sad, heavy, painful, draining, or frightening. These may be things you fear, avoid, or struggle with. (being alone, feeling overwhelmed, doctor appointment, unkindness, social judgements), Again, there are no right or wrong answers. Just begin where you are. Keep going until you have at least 15 things.

                 What Makes Me Happy                                     What Makes Me Sad

Take a moment and look over both lists and pick your top five from each one

EXERCISE TWO: Key Adjectives That Capture Who I Am.Write down adjectives that describe who you are at your core. These may be gentle words, hard words, honest words, or words that still feel unfinished. You might use words like thoughtful, tired, determined, guarded, hopeful, overwhelmed, resilient, or uncertain. There are no wrong answers. Just start writing whatever comes to mind.

Adjectives that describe who I am at my core.

Top Five Adjectives That Remind Me Who I Am

SELF EXPLORATION

What role do books and reading play in my life? Do I take the time to write letters? Would I rather talk on the phone or text? Do I listen or talk more? Why do I choose these? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where is home? What makes it home? What does it mean to nurture myself? Who (or what) is part of my home? Do I have a balance between giving care and receiving care? Why does this matter to me?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Am I comfortable with my feelings? What makes me cry or laugh? When am I comfortable expressing my feelings? When am I not comfortable? Why do I hold back or let go? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Where do I show my personal style (clothing; decorating; art; music, writing, and children)? What is my style? How does expressing it make me feel?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What am I creating in the world around me? What do I want to create? What is my gift to share? Why does creating matter to me? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What do I do well or what comes naturally to me? How do I know? If it goes wrong, does it irritate me? Why does it matter? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What is my relationship with my body? Do I feel at home in it most days?? What helps when I don't? Why these choices?

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Do I have a lot of friends or a few? How much of my time is spent with other people and how much time am I alone? Why this balance? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Are relationships important? Are friends more important than romantic relationships? Do I have more friends of the same or opposite sex? Why do you think this is? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Do I enjoy being around groups of people? Do I enjoy being around people who are different from me? Why or why not. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Do I listen to different types of music? Look at art? Visit museums? Why these? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does intimacy mean to me? Who do I imagine sharing it with? What matters most in closeness? Why does this matter to me?

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EXPLORING DEEPER

Who am I, really beneath it all? Am I what I do or am I something beyond what I do?

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What do I value most? (My peace, my time, my emotional safety)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Is my life affected by a higher power or guiding force? Do I sense an atmospheric energy of the people and spaces around me? What do I truly believe?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does it mean to be content? (finding peace, satisfaction with your present life)

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What do I stand for? (integrity, creativity, compassion, family, or justice?)

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REFLECTION:Take a moment to reflect on your answers. Are you happy with what you have discovered? Is there anything you would like to gently shift in how you view yourself? What feels true and strong about who you are? Trust your hopes, your insights and truths, they are your unbreakable foundation for thriving

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Coping with life altering events and chronic illness support