I see people, like Brandy, sharing their stories about sexual abuse in their 40s—and I’m genuinely glad they’re speaking out. But I can’t help reflecting on my own journey. I wrote and published my book at 32, openly sharing my experience with sexual abuse, and at 33, I am walking in real healing. Wow!

I didn’t have all the privileges that some might have. The path was hard. The work was intense. Some days, I wanted to give up—but I refused. I showed up for myself, over and over again, even when it was uncomfortable, even when it hurt.

What I’ve realized is that wisdom doesn’t wait until later in life. By confronting pain, processing trauma, and doing the inner work early, you front-load your life with emotional resilience, self-knowledge, and clarity. By the time I’m 47—or older—I’ll carry decades of practical insight and peace that comes from lived experience, not just years on a calendar.

Healing is not about privilege. It’s about commitment. It’s about refusing to settle for pain or silence. And it’s about choosing to face the hard work now so that the freedom, wisdom, and clarity that others may find later are already part of your life.

I’m proud of myself for taking that journey seriously. For doing the work when it was hard. For refusing to give up. And I hope my story inspires anyone reading this to know: you can do it too, and the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll live fully and wisely.