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

Relevant

I was relevant and people really did care.

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Bird in a Gilded Cage

The metaphor of a bird in a gilded cage illustrates being trapped in a familiar yet constraining situation, where the bird is excited about freedom but returns to the safety of the cage due to fear and uncertainty. This symbolizes people's tendency to stay in comfortable situations even when they have the means to change them, out of fear of the unknown. To design an ideal life, self-awareness of one's values, goals, strengths, and weaknesses is crucial.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

Stop Chasing Happiness—Start Living It

Ready to stop chasing someone else’s version of happiness? It’s time to reclaim your true Happy, align with what you really want, and live a life that feels light, warm, and completely your own.

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Helen Brenner Helen Brenner

This Too Shall Pass!

Let’s talk about choosing to thrive instead of merely surviving during challenging times, including health and political issues. It emphasizes shifting from negative, fear-driven responses to positive, growth-oriented mindsets, embracing hope, resilience, and connection. We have the choice to focus on our common humanity and make positive changes in our lives and the world.

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