Creating the Survivor Affirmation Deck | Healing is the Best Revenge episode #7 transcript
This is a transcript of episode #7 of my podcast, Healing is the Best Revenge.
Hi, I’m Karina Hagelin and this is Healing is the Best Revenge, a podcast for survivors and the folks who love us, to discuss the politics of survivorship, healing, and community care. This is a space where we reject pedestals & perfectionism, instead honoring the messy and complex realities of healing from trauma.
Before we start, a quick reminder that if you love this podcast, please take a moment to rate, review, subscribe, & to share this show with a friend. Your support means the world to me & keeps this podcast going. I really really REALLY appreciate every review and rating.
I want to share about something I’m really proud of: the survivor affirmation deck. I’ve been dreaming of creating a deck of affirmation cards for survivors, like me & you & people we care about & love, for years. Ever since I wrote my first survivor affirmation zine in 2018, actually.
I’ve written 3 zines of survivor affirmations so far. I started writing survivor affirmation zines because as survivors, we often don’t hear those three simple words, the affirmation “I believe you”. Survivors deserve to be affirmed of that, bare minimum. Trauma really messes with your head, or at least it really messes with mine, and I’ve found affirmations a really helpful tool in my healing process.
We NEED affirmations for survivors that are trauma-informed and survivor-centered. I want us to feel supported, held, uplifted, inspired, and empowered. And I want tools for healing from trauma that aren’t beige or black and white & boring - or just plain ugly. Because color & aesthetics can be so, so, so healing; they have been for me. I believe creating something beautiful for survivors, centering survivors in my creative process, is an act of love and care and solidarity.
That’s what the Survivor Affirmation Deck is all about. I’ve opened preorders; you can preorder the deck through November 1st; they’ll be shipped at the end of the month in time for the winter holidays.
The Survivor Affirmation Deck is a beautiful, inspiring, & uplifting collection of 40 vibrant affirmation cards for survivors of abuse, sexual violence, & assault who are healing from trauma. Each colorful card features a supportive & loving affirmation for survivors, written by a survivor who gets it, not a rando love n (gas)lighter. Cards have a rainbow gradient on the back & come packaged in a lovely pink tuck box.
It’s a great gift for loved ones healing from trauma, therapists, mental health workers, folks who work with survivors of violence and abuse, and for yourself or your bestie.
Now, for a vulnerable ask: Please send me any press or outreach opportunities you can think of. Please share this deck widely on social media, with your loved ones, friends, family, & folks you’re in community with, with anyone you think who might benefit from it. I need your help to get this deck to as many folks as possible!
So, to celebrate this deck, I want to share some affirmations with you. Feel free to repeat these after me or simply listen along. I also invite you to jot any affirmations down that you feel called to. Do what feels right for you in this moment, right now, and try to trust yourself and the wisdom of your bodymind as much as you can.
Healing is the best revenge
I’m done being resilient; I’m ready to be spoiled
I don’t need to be fixed; I’m not broken
Nothing in this world blooms all year round
Healing creates space for joy & ease
I’m creating the life I once dreamed of
I never should have had to be so strong
We can build something beautiful together
Softness is a strength
I’ve gotten through 100% of my worst days
It’s going to be okay
Healing is possible
I’m so much stronger than I know
Who the f*ck would make this up?
Healing creates new timelines
I do the best I can & that’s good enough
May we not only survive but truly thrive
I am lovable & loved
I am already whole
I believe you
No is a complete sentence
We need each other
We support each other
There is still time
I’m worthy of good things
I’m a blessing, never a burden
There is bravery in softness
My comeback is greater than any setback
I don’t need to forgive to heal
Celebrate the small wins
I’m more than my trauma
Dream bigger, dream boldly
I’m proud of myself
Healing is a portal
No matter how I feel, I’m still lovable
I deserve a whole sheet of gold stars
Slow progress is still progress
We protect each other
Keep going
Okay, that’s all I’ve got for you today but before I go, if you’d like to receive notes on radical self-love, healing, & affirmations, you can find a link to subscribe to my newsletter in the show notes. I’d love to have you on the list! Until the next time.
