By Adreanna

Lately, I’ve been a waterfall. Tears streaming down my face, emotions washing over me in waves. It’s been a lot. A LOT of reflecting, releasing, and accepting. And honestly? It’s exhausting.

You see, on this journey of healing, I’ve been learning to soften. To let go of the armor I’ve worn for so long. But let me tell you, this “softening” business is a wild ride. It’s like… well, it’s like getting a deep tissue massage.

You know the drill: You lie there, vulnerable and exposed, on that cold massage table. You’re in pain, so the awkwardness of being naked with a stranger is the least of your worries. The therapist starts gently, warming you up. You relax, thinking, “Ah, this is nice.”

Then, they hit that knot. Oh, that knot. The one that’s been lurking there for years, whispering promises of discomfort. The pressure intensifies, and suddenly, “nice” becomes “ow, ow, ow!” You grit your teeth, enduring the pain because you know that when it’s over, you’ll feel amazing. And usually, you do. You slide off the table, feeling lighter, more relaxed.

But here’s the catch: the next day, you wake up. And that knot? It’s screaming. You’re more sore than you were before the massage.

“DOMS,” they call it. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

And that, my friends, is what this healing journey feels like. You break down the walls, release the tension, and then… you pay the price. You feel worse before you feel better.

It’s a cycle. You heal a little, then you crash. You heal a little more, then you crash harder. But each time you go through it, you get stronger. You can handle more pressure, endure more discomfort.

Because here’s the thing: true strength doesn’t come from being hard. It comes from being soft. From being vulnerable. From allowing yourself to feel deeply, to heal deeply, to truly live deeply.

So, to all my fellow healers on this messy, beautiful journey: Keep going. Keep softening. Keep trusting the process. Even when it feels like you’re crumbling.

P.S. What are your “DOMS” moments like on your healing journey? Share your experiences in the comments below!