Embracing Your Power After Life's Storms by Kia Lee

Life has a way of testing us in ways we never imagined. Sometimes, the challenges come all at once—like surviving a violent attack, facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, or navigating the emotional wreckage of narcissistic abuse.

Each of these trials can feel insurmountable on its own, but when stacked together, they can shake the very core of who you are. And yet, here I am—standing, fighting, and moving forward.

This journey has shown me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about choosing to rise every time.

Resilience isn’t about pretending everything is fine or bouncing back like nothing happened. It’s about facing your pain head-on, allowing yourself to feel it, and then choosing to rise anyway.

It’s about honoring your journey while refusing to let the darkness define you.

I’ve learned that life’s toughest battles can also be its greatest teachers. Surviving narcissistic abuse taught me the power of boundaries—not just with others, but with myself. It showed me that my voice, my needs, and my dreams are valid and worth fighting for. It taught me to stop apologizing for existing and to stand tall in my truth, even if it makes others uncomfortable.

Cancer brought an entirely different kind of reckoning. It reminded me of life’s fragility and forced me to slow down in ways I never thought possible. When you’re in the middle of treatments—chemo, surgeries, radiation—you realize quickly what truly matters.

For me, it was family, the strength of my body, and the clarity of purpose that comes from surviving. It was about reclaiming my life, not just as a survivor, but as someone determined to thrive.

Through it all, I’ve discovered that empowerment doesn’t come from never falling—it comes from the decision to get back up every single time. It’s in the small victories, like choosing to rest when your body demands it, or saying "no" to things that drain your energy. It’s in prioritizing

yourself unapologetically and allowing yourself to dream again, even if the path ahead feels uncertain.

For me, empowerment has been about building a life that aligns with my values. It’s about carving out time for passions like fitness, writing, and cooking, which ground me in joy and creativity. It’s about working toward a career that offers balance and freedom, so I can live fully without sacrificing my well-being. It’s about rewriting the narrative I once believed about myself and replacing it with one of strength, love, and purpose.

If you’re reading this and you’re in the thick of your own battles, know this: You are more capable than you realize. The storms in your life are not here to break you; they’re here to show you just how strong you can be. The fact that you’re still here, still fighting, still searching for light, is proof of your resilience.

Empowerment isn’t a destination—it’s a process. It’s the culmination of every choice you make to keep going, to put yourself first, and to believe in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.

You are stronger than you think, and your best days are ahead. Keep going—you’ve got this. - Kia Lee

Read more from Kia Lee in her incredible book: Lighthouse: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lighthouse-Kia-Lee/dp/B0CQ6BKPHJ