FINDING HOPE IN THE DARKNESS: A JOURNEY TO HEALING
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Time to read 9 min
There was a time in my life when every step forward felt like sinking into quicksand. Each day brought new struggles, and life felt like a never-ending storm. My middle daughter’s cancer diagnosis was the breaking point—a tidal wave that threatened to drown me entirely. I remember sitting in her hospital room, the hum of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic surrounding us, wondering how I would ever find my way out of this darkness as my daughter lay there near lifeless.
At that moment, I felt utterly lost. Every ounce of hope seemed to have evaporated, leaving behind an empty space that seemed impossible to fill. I wasn’t sure how I could be the rock my family needed, or even how I could keep moving forward. The weight of it all felt suffocating
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A TIME OF CHAOS
But it wasn’t just her illness. At the time, we were newlyweds, just beginning our journey together. Life should’ve been exciting, full of promise, but instead, we were already in the midst of a whirlwind. We had just found out we were expecting another baby, a blessing we were thrilled about, but it added more stress to an already overwhelming time. I was juggling the demands of being pregnant, navigating nursing school, and trying to manage the emotional weight of the situation.
On top of all of that, my mental health was deteriorating. I had been struggling for a while, feeling like I was sinking under the pressure. The financial strain from medical bills and the uncertainty of the future felt like a storm cloud that never stopped hovering over us. I found myself questioning how we would make it through, wondering if things would always be this hard. Would we ever catch a break?
We had just started our life together, dreaming about the future, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that our dreams were slipping away. All I could see was a never-ending cycle of hardship, one chapter after another. Every time we took a step forward, it felt like life pushed us two steps back. How could we survive this?
Signs You Might Be Carrying More Than You Realize
Looking back, I didn’t even realize just how heavy everything was. If you’re in that kind of season right now, here are some signs you might be carrying more than you think:
You feel exhausted even after sleeping
Small tasks suddenly feel overwhelming
You’re always in survival mode—just getting through the day
You catch yourself snapping at loved ones or withdrawing from them
You feel emotionally numb or overly emotional
You find it hard to enjoy the things you used to love
You're constantly asking yourself: “Why does everything feel so hard?”
NO WAY OUT
If you’re reading this and feel like you can’t catch a break, I want you to know—you are not alone. I understand what it feels like to be in the dark, where all hope feels lost, where each day brings more struggles than the one before. When it seems like life keeps throwing obstacles your way, and no matter how hard you try, things never seem to get better.
I know what it’s like to feel like you’re stuck in a tunnel with no light at the end. To question if there’s any point in trying anymore because every ounce of strength feels like it’s already been spent. It can be hard to find hope when it feels like the universe is against you, and you’re running on empty. I’ve been there, and it feels like there’s no way out.
"The light at the end of the tunnel doesn't always come to you–you have to create it yourself"
At first, I didn’t see it, but I slowly learned that finding hope doesn’t always come in grand moments—it often starts with small, quiet steps forward, even when everything feels heavy and uncertain.
In those darkest days, I found myself desperately searching for something—anything—that could help me feel even a little bit in control. That’s when I started creating. I had no idea that making a simple painted sign or glittering a tumbler would become my saving grace, but it did. It wasn’t about perfection; in fact, the imperfections brought a strange kind of peace. Each brushstroke, each sparkle, each messy moment gave my mind a break from the chaos. It became my escape—my own little corner of calm.
And it wasn’t just the crafting. Looking back, there were a few small things that quietly helped me find light in the dark. Not life-changing overnight fixes—just soft glimmers of hope that reminded me I was still here, still moving.
SIMPLE WAYS I FOUND LIGHT IN THE DARK:
Creating with my hands – painting signs, glittering tumblers, doodling—whatever gave me a break from the noise.
Listening to music that felt like it understood me – I played the same songs over and over, ones that met me right where I was.
Letting myself cry without guilt – no hiding it, no brushing it off—just releasing the emotion instead of bottling it.
Writing down small victories – things like “I made it through today” or “I got out of bed” helped shift my perspective.
Spending five minutes outside – even when I didn’t want to, even when I just sat on the porch in silence, it helped.
I didn’t realize it then, but these small actions were slowly rebuilding me. They gave me just enough space to breathe. The weight of the world didn’t magically disappear, but it became lighter. And I began to understand that creating wasn’t just about making something physical—it was about rediscovering a part of myself that still wanted to fight, still had something to say, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
FINDING UNEXPECTED STRENGTH
As I kept creating, something unexpected happened. I started to find strength I didn’t know I had. It wasn’t sudden, and it wasn’t easy, but each small victory helped me see the strength that had been buried deep inside me all along.
That’s the thing about life’s struggles—they force you to dig deeper than you ever thought possible. But you don’t have to do it all at once. Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process, a journey that takes time. And along the way, you’ll discover things about yourself that you never knew were there.
If you’re in that dark place right now, please know this: even when it feels like you have nothing left, there is still something inside you that can keep going. Maybe it’s the love you have for your family. Maybe it’s the hope that someday things will get better. Or maybe it’s just the smallest spark of curiosity about what your future might hold. Whatever it is, hold onto it. Nurture it. It will be your anchor when everything else feels uncertain.
"Give yourself grace–you're doing the best you can and that's enough"
It’s easy to beat yourself up when you’re in the midst of a struggle, especially when the world feels like it’s falling apart. But here’s the truth: survival is its own victory. Just getting through each day is a win. And in those moments, you have to give yourself grace. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going, even when it feels impossible.
The tunnel may feel endless, but the truth is that even the longest tunnels have an end. If you can’t see the light yet, know that you can still create it. Take things one step at a time. Celebrate the small victories, and know that each day brings you one step closer to the light you’re searching for.
LIFE AFTER DARKNESS
As I sit here today, writing this blog, I can tell you that life isn’t perfect—but it’s mine. I’m building a dream I once thought was impossible. I own a boutique that blends my passion for creativity with my desire to help others who are struggling with mental health. I’ve found strength I didn’t know I had, and I’ve learned how to find joy in the small moments again.
The laughter of my children, the warmth of a morning coffee, and the satisfaction of finishing a design—these are the moments that remind me that life is beautiful, even in the midst of the chaos.
If you’re struggling right now, please know that there’s a way out. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. And if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, I want to remind you that you are the one who can spark it.
Encouraging Truths to Hold Onto
If no one has told you lately, let me be the one to say it: you are strong, even if you don’t feel like it. Here are a few truths I’ve learned to hold onto—maybe they’ll help you too:
You are doing the best you can with what you’ve got
Survival is strength—not weakness
Healing doesn’t mean perfection—it means progress
You’re allowed to fall apart and still move forward
One dark chapter doesn’t define your whole story
Grace will take you further than guilt ever will
"You are not alone—and you don’t have to pretend to be okay"
KEY TAKEAWAYS
You are not alone, even when it feels like no one sees your pain.
Small, creative actions can lead to emotional breakthroughs.
Grace, patience, and self-love are essential parts of healing.
The tunnel ends—sometimes you just have to build your own light to find the way.
YOUR TURN
This space isn’t just mine—it’s ours.
If anything in this blog hit home for you, scroll down and share your thoughts in the comments. You never know who you might encourage just by speaking up.
The Author
Hey there! Im Adrianna, mom of three, foster parent, and the creator of Wilde and Untamed. After my daughter’s cancer diagnosis flipped our world upside down, I found healing through creating. Now, I share my journey to remind others they’re not alone—and that even in the darkest seasons, there’s still light to be found.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What inspired you to write this post?
Honestly? I was in a really dark season of my life and felt like no one was talking about the in-between—the messy, quiet, lonely parts of healing. This post came straight from my heart, and I wrote it for the version of me who didn’t know if things would ever feel okay again.
How do you hold on to hope when everything feels overwhelming?
Sometimes it’s one breath, one journal entry at a time. I’ve learned not to look for a big miracle but to find small moments of peace in the middle of the chaos. Some days, hope looked like making it out of bed. And that was enough.
What helped you start your healing journey?
Letting go of the idea that healing had to look perfect. I stopped trying to “fix” everything overnight and started giving myself grace. Journaling helped. Creating tumblers and painting wood signs. And talking to people who got it made me feel less alone.
Do you still have dark days?
Yes—healing isn’t linear. I still have hard days. But now I know they don’t last forever. I’ve built tools and reminders that help me move through them instead of feeling stuck in them.
What would you say to someone who feels stuck right now?
You are not broken. You are not alone. And this moment—no matter how painful—isn’t your final chapter. Healing doesn’t mean you’ll never hurt again. It means you’ll learn to carry the hurt with strength and softness. One day, your story will be the light for someone else.
READY TO HOLD ONTO HOPE, EVEN IN THE HARDEST SEASONS?
Healing isn’t linear, and it sure isn’t easy—but you don’t have to walk through the darkness alone. Our Mental Health Collection is designed to remind you that your story matters, your pain is valid, and there’s still light ahead. One breath, one step, one small act of self-kindness at a time—you’re finding your way back to you.
