Getting Past Survivor

Because “surviving” was never meant to be the whole story

If you’ve ever felt stuck replaying the same patterns — overthinking, people-pleasing, shutting down, or trying to prove your worth — you already know survival mode doesn’t end just because the danger did.

It lingers in the brain, shaping how you think, feel, and show up in life.

This space is about understanding how your brain learned to survive, how to rewire it, and how to live freely, fully, and intentionally.

You may have survived something big or small — but survival isn’t the end of your story.

Getting Past Survivor is about moving beyond those automatic patterns — fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — and into a life led by choice, not fear.

It’s the journey of letting go, retraining the mind, and becoming someone you can trust to treat yourself well.

If you sense there’s something beyond survival — even if you can’t name it yet — you’re right.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

💙 Helen

To read more about my story: The Reason for Getting Past Survivor

If you’d like to explore specific topics or themes — from self-trust to rewiring the brain

— visit the Getting Past Survivor Library.

It’s a listing of the blogs in my every growing collection, sorted into 6 healing pillars (w/ links):

💫 Self-Trust | 🌱 Self-Design | 🧠 Rewire Your Brain | 🤝 Relationships | 🎯 Tools & Sensory Awareness | 💬 Own Your Voice

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Awareness Before Desire

We often reach for what’s missing without ever noticing what’s already here. This piece explores how awareness transforms desire — and how clarity about what you have reveals what you actually want.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

How Survivors Are Still Being Silenced

Silence doesn’t protect survivors—it protects abusers and the systems that dismiss our pain. From families to social media, survivors are told to stay quiet. But every time one of us speaks, the shame cracks and the cycle weakens. Your story matters. Your voice is enough.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

When Gratitude Feels Out of Reach

If you’ve ever felt like gratitude is just out of reach, this blog is for you. It’s not about resistance—it’s about protection. Explore why your brain might not feel safe enough for gratitude yet, and how true healing begins with listening, not forcing.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

When Survival Was the Plan

You’ve probably heard it: “Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.” Sounds poetic—unless your only “plan” was to survive.

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Michelle Anne VA Michelle Anne VA

The Battle Between Knowing and Feeling

You know you’ve grown. You know the relationship is over. So why does your chest still tighten? Why do you still flinch, worry, or overthink even when life feels calm? This post explores the hidden reason your healing hasn’t felt like healing—and what you can do about it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

I’m Raising People Not Pets

Being a mom doesn't end when your kids grow up—but the role changes. Learn how to stop over-caring, trust the adults you raised, and stay lovingly connected without hovering.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

How to Stop Expecting the Worst

Still on edge, even though nothing bad has happened in years? Your brain may be stuck in fear. Learn how to begin retraining unconscious patterns and finally feel safe—without forcing yourself to “just get over it.”

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Are You Gaslighting Yourself?

Think gaslighting only comes from others? Learn how self-gaslighting shows up, why we do it, and what happens when we finally stop minimizing our truth. The most convincing lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Change Can Be Easy

Change doesn’t have to be a battle.
If your brain feels stuck, it’s not broken—it’s just following old instructions. Real change starts when you stop pushing and start listening.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

You’re Not Broken

You’re not broken.
Even after healing, something can still feel off. There’s a reason—and a way through it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Why Affirmations Don’t Work—Until You Do This

Affirmations aren’t magic spells—they’re only effective when your unconscious mind believes them. In this blog, I revisit the real reason positive affirmations often fall flat and share how to speak to your brain in a way it can actually hear.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Create Your Future

Ready to shape your future? Future pacing helps you align your mind and emotions to turn your goals into reality. Discover how this powerful technique can transform your path—read more!

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Day I Didn’t Stay Silent

He counted on me staying quiet. But something in me had changed. Years ago, I might’ve frozen. This time, I found my voice—right there in the middle of the holiday crowd.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Connections That Thrive

Want to strengthen your most important relationships? Discover how to nurture trust, build intimacy, and create bonds that truly thrive. Read more now!

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Are You Reacting to Life or Proactively Shaping It?

Do you feel like life is happening to you, leaving you scrambling to catch up? Living in reaction mode can be exhausting, driven by fear and the need to survive the moment. But what if you could step out of the cycle? What if you could purposefully create your life starting now?

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Love Starts with Self-Trust

Discover how true love starts with self-trust. Explore the role of trust and attachment in building relationships that last—beginning with trusting yourself first.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Healing from the Inside Out

For most of my life, food was my comfort, and weight was my shield. Losing 50 pounds felt like a victory, but as the pounds dropped, so did my sense of security. Looking good on the outside doesn’t heal the wounds you carry inside. Real change happens when you heal from within and learn to love yourself at every size. It’s not about the number on the scale—it’s about shedding the emotional weight that’s been holding you back.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Detaching from Attachment

Explore how attachment, as vital as food and oxygen, shapes our lives and emotions. From early unhealthy connections to the deep, mutual bond of true love, the journey of detaching from attachment can lead to profound healing and self-discovery. This reflection delves into the balance between honoring meaningful relationships and maintaining one's sense of self after loss.

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