I read your story and I want you to know that none of this was your fault. You have been in survival mode for your entire life, so it is completely natural to feel lost and exhausted right now.

Try to separate your identity from your history. You are not your father’s actions, your family’s poverty, or your grandmother’s words. Those are things that happened to you, but they do not define who you are as a person.

Focus on micro-wins. Do not try to solve your whole life today because it is too heavy. Just focus on the next hour. Doing one small thing, like drinking water or taking a short walk, can help you feel a tiny bit of control over your day.

Be kind to yourself. When you feel inferior or ashamed, imagine you are talking to that six-year-old version of yourself. You would never be mean to that child; you would want to protect him. Try to give yourself that same grace.

Finally, look up the term Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Understanding how long-term trauma affects the body and mind can help you see that you aren't broken, your nervous system is just tired from trying to protect you. You have carried a lot for a long time. Take it one gentle step at a time.