I want to share something deeply personal. There was something my attacker said to me when I was 14. That voice, that sentence has been replaying in my head on a daily basis for 21 years. When I told him I was in pain, he said: “Don’t worry. I’m almost done.” That sentence broke me. He was saying “Your body is garbage, to be used and discarded. Your pain doesn’t matter.” Now when that voice comes up I’m going to say “No. My pain matters. I matter. You’re done because I say so”. Today I’m writing that sentence on paper and burning it. I am choosing to let it go. Afterwards I’m going to rinse my hands and face with cold water and say “I am renewed, whole, and free.” I know it’s not going to silence the voice. But it’s a step toward getting my power back and feeling safe in my body. It’s an act of self-love.