Getting Past Survivor

Finally Be The Real You

There comes a point when surviving just isn’t enough.

You’ve made it through the worst—but life still feels like a holding pattern. You’re not falling apart, but you’re not thriving either. That quiet sense that something more is possible? It’s not wishful thinking. It’s truth. And it’s what this space is all about.

Getting Past Survivor was born from that very moment—when I realized I was no longer in crisis, but far from feeling whole. I’d lived through childhood sexual abuse, relentless bullying by both other kids and teachers, and a difficult marriage that drained me. I had done a lot of healing — but something was still missing. And deep down, I knew something better was possible. So I went looking for it.

In the years that followed, my healing was tested in ways I couldn’t have predicted—especially when I lost the love of my life at 54. It was another kind of survival. But even through that grief, the work I’d done helped me keep going. And now, I help others do the same.

This space is a blend of blog and voice. Every post can be read, and many include audio so you can listen right here or on my podcast. Take in the words however they land best for you.

You’ll find:
🧠 Brain-based tools—NLP, hypnosis, and unconscious rewiring that actually work
❤️‍🩹 Real talk on grief, growth, and healing (the non-linear kind)
🌱 The messy, beautiful journey to becoming you again
💬 Support from someone who gets it—not to fix you, but to walk with you

If you feel like there’s something beyond the pain—even if you can’t name it yet—you’re right. And you don’t have to get there alone.

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

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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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

A People Pleaser Reclaims Herself

For years, she carried the weight of others' expectations, always putting herself second. Raised in a home filled with guilt and shame, her need to please turned into perfectionism. But now, she’s letting go of those burdens and living for herself. Read her full story of transformation.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Remember to Forget / Forget to Remember

Have you ever considered how much control you have over your own memories? The concepts of “remembering to forget” and “forgetting to remember” reveal that we can actively choose how we deal with our past and present experiences.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

The Power of “YET”

In facing challenges, the words we use shape our mindset. "YET language"—phrases like “so far,” “until now,” or “beyond this point”—shifts our focus from past limitations to future possibilities. Instead of seeing problems as permanent, "YET language" helps us view them as temporary obstacles with the potential for growth.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

15 Things You Can Be Okay With While Healing from Trauma

Healing is a personal journey, and it’s okay to experience various feelings and needs along the way. This blog explores 15 aspects of the healing process and offers sensory-focused tips to help you connect more deeply with yourself. Embrace each part of your journey with compassion and remember, support is always here if you need it.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Move Beyond "I Don’t Know"

The phrase “I don’t know” can show up during simple choices, like picking what to have for lunch, and when we’re faced with major life decisions. It happens because we’re disconnected from our unconscious mind, where intuitive wisdom resides. By listening to sensory cues, we can move beyond indecision and gain clarity, and move into “I DO know!”

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Easy Nervous System Reset

In today's busy world, stress is common and can lead to anxiety and other health problems. Purposeful breathing helps manage stress by balancing the autonomic nervous system. Learn how techniques like belly breathing and box breathing can promote relaxation and improve well-being.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Achieve Those Lingering Goals!

Uncover and overcome hidden blocks in your long-standing goals. Reflect deeply, identify obstacles, and develop strategies to finally achieve your dreams with structured journaling.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

NLP Presuppositions

Discover how the NLP (neurolinguistic programming) presuppositions can deepen your understanding of yourself and others, enhance communication, and improve relationships.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Yawning

Ever wonder why you yawn during deep emotional moments? It's not boredom—it's your body signaling profound shifts, especially during trauma recovery. Discover how yawning helps transition your brain from tension to relaxation, and how it reflects deep work in your nervous system.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

You’ve Mastered Your Problems

Recognizing unconscious patterns developed from past experiences can greatly impact our daily lives. These ingrained behaviors often stem from childhood and can dictate our emotional and psychological responses as adults, sometimes in ways that no longer serve our current needs.

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