Are you tracking identities and power in your relationships?

Why questioning these two elements can be supportive in understanding or making sense of, or potentially healing from an experience.

Took some time to make some visual representations of some thoughts I chew on.

Perhaps it’s my way of leaving breadcrumbs along the way throughout my journey, either way I’d like to share and am open to feedback/dialogue. I’m not glued to the language, simply laying out what makes sense so far.

Image descriptions for white text appearing on a subtle but dark textile zoomed in for a nifty background:
"Wounds have a way of striking in one place and causing sometimes unseen but felt damage in others. Sometimes we feel that pain later but cant quite figure out where it is coming from. Maybe it feels familiar...But manifests in different ways." 1 of 5 — Aloysious

Image description for white text appearing on a subtle but dark textile zoomed in for a nifty background: “I often find when processing my own trauma that its damage can be compounding with multiple identities. I believe each emotional strike we endure actually hits every part of ourselves even if we cant feel it at the time.” 2 of 5 — Aloysious

Image description for white text appearing on a subtle but dark textile zoomed in for a nifty background: “This is why we can find ourselves going back and re-adressing some of the same or similar wounds time and time again”
Common thoughts associated:
“I thought this/ that was behind me”
“I really thought I fixed that”
“I didn’t know I still had feelings about this…” 3 of 5 — Aloysious

Image description for white text appearing on a subtle but dark textile zoomed in for a nifty background: “When processing trauma it is important to question how one or another's identities or power may be affecting the event or relationship dynamic” 4 of 5 — Aloysious

Image description for white text appearing on a subtle but dark textile zoomed in for a nifty background: ”One cannot seal a hole until it has been found…Just like you cant heal an emotional wound until you've taken the time to address everything it has made an impact on.” 5 of 5 — Aloysious

Aloysious looks through a large green fan leaf, sun kisses their only visible eye, they are happy.

I’m learning how to ask for help and advocate for myself.

I do believe my voice matters. I’ve learned so much from others and my friends believe my shares have value and I believe them. Every shared story, book, article or zine I picked up has allowed me to dig deeper into myself.

I fancy myself a Queer and Polyamorous Non Binary Veteran of Color who is also AUTISTIC AS FVCK (even if you can’t visibly notice) That’s a label I’m feeling pretty comfortable leaning into and I trust it may evolve as I continue to learn more about myself.

Thank you for witnessing me. -A