You won’t be ready: A letter to my 23-year-old self before trauma

Written by: Elle Gargano

Dear 23-year-old me,

You won’t be ready when it happens.
You won’t be ready for the fight.
You won’t be ready for the hardship to follow –
for the mark it will leave – on your heart, on your soul.

You won’t be ready to face yourself.
You won’t be ready to have to change –
to move forward, one foot, at a time.

You won’t be ready to be strong,
You won’t be ready to be brave,
You won’t be ready to rely entirely on yourself –
on your own resilience.

But even still, you will.

You will surprise yourself.
You will fight, every. single. day.
With time, you will begin to heal.

You will learn to love a new version of you.
You will reach out and inspire others.
You will outgrow every expectation you have for yourself.

Dear 23-year-old me,

You won’t be ready when it happens, but you will find a way –
a way above the pain and the trauma.
a way above the physical scars and the emotional wreckage left behind.

Dear 23-year-old me,

You won’t be ready – but despite that, you will thrive.

Dear 23-year-old me,

I love you, you are ready.

About the author: Elle Gargano is a small business owner, writer and advocate for those healing after trauma.

On October 1, 2017, Elle was injured in the Las Vegas Mass Shooting where she sustained a nearly fatal traumatic brain injury. After healing from three neurosurgeries, Elle knew she wanted to help people healing after trauma find purpose in their lives.

Find Elle on Instagram @ellegargano where she shares her personal journey with PTSD, healing after brain injury + trauma, as well as mental health resources. Elle’s brand, @brave_the_label sells ethical, quality loungewear made to inspire bravery from within, and gives back 10% to support mental health initiatives.