We face many challenges in our lives. Some of us find the positives right away, and others hold on to the challenges for a lifetime without finding the positive side of things. Here are my challenges and the positives for each.
I did promise you guys in the last journal that I would be doing this too. Think of this as an example:
| Challenges/Obstacles | Positive Outcomes |
| Low Self-Esteem: Being Put down, called names like “Fat, Stupid and Ugly” as a child. | 1. Working on my self-esteem. 2. Others telling me that I am not “Fat, Stupid and Ugly.” 3. Embracing my body as is and preserving my mind despite the trauma |
| Flash Backs: Constant reminders of my past, the shooting a couple years back and being drugged by my ex roommates eight Years ago. | 1. New found strength and coping mechanisms. 2. Knowing that I am not alone in my fight to recover. 3. Knowing that it was not my fault |
| Problems with “Parental Authority”: Since my childhood was a train-wreck, I have a problem with Parental Authority. Meaning I don’t like being told what to do. | 1. The ability to learn to listen to my bio dad. 2. Not every parent is a Narcissist and is out to make you look bad. 3. Embracing that I was loved no matter what the outcome was. |
| Eating: I have had an Eating Disorder since I was 10 because of the “your fat, stupid and ugly” comment from my ex narcissist. That comment was every time I ate everyday until I decided to move in with the adopted father. | 1. I have reversed the effects of the E.D. Enough that I don’t have flashbacks of it anymore. 2. I am eating properly most days despite the struggle. 3. Realizing that Anorexia is not my friend but my enemy. |
| Afraid to have children of my own: I had a kid before and the Narc said nasty things about me to the hospital and to Family and Children Services. I gave the child up for adoption. I am afraid she’d do it again. | 1. I gave the child up for adoption to protect him from the Narcissist. 2. Those things that were said no long effect me or mean a thing. 3. I am able to focus on my recovery, even if that sounds bad. |
| Relationship Problems: Since I had a Narc mother I have dated only narcs and wondered why this was. | 1. I don’t have to suffer from another abusive relationship. 2. Focusing and growing will help me. 3. I don’t need a relationship to make me happy all I need is me right now. |
| Trust Issues: I trusted not a single soul, not even myself. I would think everyone was constantly lying to me and trying to manipulate me. | 1. Learning to trust the people around me. 2. Starting to ask for help, when needed. 3. Talking about it with the ones I love. |
| Self-Blaming: I would blame myself for everything that had happened and then I would later feel bad for myself. | 1. I now know it’s not my fault I got a Narc for a mother. 2. It’s not my fault for the way she treated me. 3. It’s not my fault for the way I was programmed growing up. |
| Thinking I didn’t Deserve anything good in life: I used to believe I did not deserve a happy and healthy life. | 1. Knowing I do deserve the good things in life. 2. I deserve to be respected 100%. 3. I deserve to be E.D Free. |
Dee
Deejaegh Beck 