Silent support: showing up when it matters most

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for someone is simply sit beside them. No fixing. No advice. Just quiet presence. This is a story of the moments that saved me when I almost gave up.

On Monday, while I was trying to find work, I discovered someone had me blocked from a local community page.

It was just a Facebook group, but to me, it was one of the only places I still felt connected to in this town.

It knocked the wind out of me. I spiralled. Honestly, I almost gave up right then and there. Threw it all in.

After midnight, in the quiet darkness, my phone started blinking. My Wix notifications were going off. Someone knew.

The next morning, I peeled myself off the couch and went upstairs. I laid on the floor until my partner woke up, not feeling deserving of love or warmth after my meltdown.

Without a word, without even opening his eyes, he reached for my hand.

That small, silent gesture held more safety than any speech ever could.

The Power of Just Showing Up

That's the funny thing about CPTSD. Most of us have lived through deep pain -- the kind of pain that leaves invisible bruises.

But it's also the pain that many people know: that ache of feeling alone, rejected, unseen.

And in those moments, when someone reaches out... That's what pulls us out. Not advice. Not solutions. Just... presence.

Sometimes you don't have to understand fully. You don't have to say the perfect thing.

Just show up.

Sit beside us.

Hold space for the mess.

Even if it feels awkward.

Even if all you can offer is silence.

To Those Who've Shown Up

To the people who've shown up for me: thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And to the people who feel like no one ever shows up for them... I will.

Everyone needs a safe place to fall apart sometimes.

What matters isn't that we fall --

it's how we dust ourselves off and get back up.

And it's so much easier when there's a hand reaching out to help us rise.

If You're Struggling

If this resonated with you or you made you think of someone, share this and let them know they're not alone.

And if you're experiencing something similar,

please reach out.