No matter what your life experience has been or is today, it all counts. And it all matters. You matter.
Even if you wish things could have been different or if you’ve just figured out something that has been impacting your whole life, you matter and it all counts as valid life experience. Your life is precious. Your story matters. Your experience matters, especially if others have told you that you don’t matter or that you just needed to get over yourself.
I love connecting with people and hearing their stories. I love listening, asking questions, holding space and sharing. We all have such different experiences and perspectives and there is something magical when two people can sit and be witnesses for each other’s lives. One of the hardest parts of havin chronic fatigue syndrome is not having the energy to do this as often as I would like. Instead, it’s been teaching me to do the same for myself. To hold space for me, and to be a witness for what is ready to be shared.
As I’ve been doing this, I’ve been seeing just how valid my life is, regardless of how unwell I’ve been. All of my life experience counts, none of it is less important or valid because I’ve been struggling. I wanted to write to share this message in case you needed it too 💖.
I am turning 46 next week and I have spent most of my life trying to be what others have told me I should be or what I felt I needed to be to be safe and to survive. This morning, I was feeling sad about my relationship with my dog and how it’s been rather tumultous because of my past. I love her dearly so I was hugging her and thanking her for sticking with me and being such a dedicated teacher. She’s been helping me reach some of the most hurt parts of myself.
Anyway, I was petting her and loving her and I realized that all of our experiences together count. It all counts, even if it’s been messy. I’ve been trying so hard to overcome my patterning and trauma and she’s been right there with me, encouraging me and being patient with me as she kept pushing me to get there. One day, I really think I’ll write a mini-book about my relationship with precious Maggie, but for now, I wanted to share how she inspired me to see that I haven’t lost anything. I don’t have to make up for lost time or try to catch up. Our relationship has been exactly what it’s needed to be and she is okay with that. She has held space for me to grieve, rage, grow, heal and do it all over again for the last 10 years. It all counts. She came into my life for a reason and it all counts.
And so, I take a deep breath and let it out. And again. I smile. I hug myself. And I know that there is peace in the messy and in my unraveling. No matter how you are doing, please know that you count, your life matters, all of it counts and all of you counts.
Peace be with you 🌟♥️🌟♥️, Bradlee
©️ Bradlee Zrudlo 2025. All Rights Reserved.
PhD in Being Me 