Because navigating this circus alone is overrated. Say hello.
Got a story, a dark joke, or just tired of pretending everything is fine? Reach out, share your piece, or find a little solidarity in the wreckage. Whether it’s childhood wounds, adult complexity, or that one absurdly dark joke keeping you sane today, I’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to share your experience on the blog to help others feel less alone, rest assured all personal details will be kept completely anonymous. Send your message below—no filter required.
Running Away from Reality, One Hobby at a Time Let’s be honest: when you live with a brain that treats daily life like a high-stakes, threat-level-midnight hostage negotiation, you need hobbies. And by hobbies, I don’t mean gentle yoga or mindful breathing—because if someone tells a dysregulated nervous system to “just breathe,” what they’re actually… Read more: Tactical Escapism
Rising from the Rubble – What the Phoenix Cycle Taught Me About Living with C-PTSD If you’ve spent any time navigating Complex PTSD, you’ve probably had someone tell you that healing is a neat, upward climb. You start at the bottom with a backpack full of trauma, you push through the steep bits, and voilà—you stand at… Read more: Why The Phoenix…
The Spicy Remake No One Asked For!! Let’s talk about trauma. I know, super lightweight topic for a quiet afternoon, right? Put the kettle on—and maybe add a splash of something stronger if your nervous system is already having a day. If you’ve ever mentioned trauma to someone, chances are they immediately think of PTSD—the cinematic heavy-hitter we’ve… Read more: PTSD Vs C-PTSD: Spicy Remake
I’m Ashley
Hi, I’m Ashley Dawn. I’m a mum, a partner to a wonderfully grounding man, a creator, an avid reader, and a decorated survivor who spent nearly four decades accumulating trauma like it was a competitive sport. Living with the grand trifecta of C-PTSD, ADHD, and fibromyalgia means my nervous system is essentially a faulty smoke alarm powered by coffee and sheer defiance.
I created Rising and Repeating – Cycles of this Phoenix to strip away the clinical jargon and talk about the full, messy spectrum of complex trauma—because as it turns out, you don’t just “get over it.” It literally rewires your brain, and I want to explain why. This is a cozy, sarcastic, and utterly unfiltered space for anyone attempting to rebuild a life from the wreckage—one laugh, dark joke, and daily survival win at a time. Pull up a chair.
What’s inside Rising and Repeating
Rising and Repeating – Cycles of this Phoenix (what its all about)
Rising from the Rubble: Phoenix cycle and how it taught me about C-PTSD
PTSD vs. C-PTSD: The Spicy Remake No One Asked For
Stollen Childhood: My brutal truth (minus real names and places)
Escapes from the Chaos: Keeping me sane when my world wasn’t
The Spicy Remake No One Asked For!! Let’s talk about trauma. I know, super lightweight topic for a quiet afternoon, right? Put the… Read more: PTSD Vs C-PTSD: Spicy Remake
Content & Trigger Warnings
This blog is a raw, honest, and unfiltered space where I process living with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and trauma. Because of the nature of deep recovery, my writing frequently touches on heavy, adult topics, including the physical, emotional, medical, and sexual impacts of prolonged trauma.
Themes frequently discussed across this blog include:
Sexual Trauma, Abuse & Reclamation
Childhood grooming, sexual assault, and rape (including experiences at ages 15 and 22)
Processing sexual trauma, consent, agency, and navigating C-PTSD within BDSM/kink as a framework for healing
Relationship & Interpersonal Abuse
Medical abuse, control, and manipulation by an ex-partner
Struggling with self-advocacy, setting boundaries, and trusting your own voice after systemic control
Severe verbal, physical, emotional, and financial abuse
Childhood & Developmental Trauma
Severe physical, emotional, and verbal abuse by caregivers
Neglect and extreme/punitive punishments by parents
Parental infidelity and unstable domestic environments
Sibling abuse and severe bullying
Complex Trauma & C-PTSD
Emotional flashbacks, nervous system dysregulation, and hypervigilance
Suicidality, self-harm, and suicide attempts
Substance use, drug and alcohol abuse
Chronic Pain & Medical Trauma
Fibromyalgia, physical exhaustion, and somatic pain symptoms
Navigating healthcare spaces and overcoming medical gaslighting/abuse
Neurodivergence & Mental Health
ADHD, executive dysfunction, burnout, and imposter syndrome
Toxic Family Dynamics & Boundaries
Estrangement, gaslighting, narcissistic family patterns, and strict boundaries
Your peace of mind matters here. To help you navigate this space safely, every individual blog post will feature a specific, detailed trigger list at the very top before the article begins. That way, you can make an informed choice on whether a particular post is right for your nervous system today. Take what helps, leave what doesn’t, and always prioritize your safety first.
UK mental health, crisis, and trauma support
A Note for International Readers
Please note that I am based in the UK, so the crisis lines, charities, and supportive resources I have provided directly below are located within the United Kingdom. If you are joining us from anywhere else in the world, I invite you to share your supportive thoughts or ask questions here in my comments section; however, for professional help, please seek out your own country’s specific mental health advocates, charities, or crisis lines.
Samaritans – Free, confidential support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts – Phone:116 123 (Free, 24/7) – Email: jo@samaritans.org – Website:samaritans.org
Shout – Free, 24/7 silent text service for anyone in crisis or struggling to cope. – Text: Text SHOUT to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
Mind – Information, advocacy, and local mental health support services. – Infoline:0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) – Support Line: 0300 102 1234 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm) – Website:mind.org.uk
Rape Crisis England & Wales – Free, confidential support for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence or abuse. – Phone:0808 500 2222 (Free, 24/7) – Live Chat:rapecrisis.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – Free, 24/7 support for survivors of domestic abuse, controlling behavior and violence. – Phone:0808 2000 247 (Free, 24/7) – Website:nationaldahelpline.org.uk
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) – Dedicated support line for adult survivors of childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. – Phone:0808 801 0331 (Mon–Thu 10am–9pm, Fri 10am–6pm) – Website:napac.org.uk
Childline – Free support for children and young people under 19. – Phone:0800 1111 (Free, 24/7) – Website:childline.org.uk
