Would you capitalize on your trauma?

[Anonymous]

Many of us have experienced pain, trauma, suffering, and hardships in life and a lot of people channel those painful occurrences into a profit for themselves, for instance;

Richard Gadd turned his real traumatic, sad and painful encounters into a hit Netflix series called "Baby Reindeer, and he's making millions of dollars/pounds, He stated that sharing his experiences with the world has been cathartic and healing and many people appreciate his vulnerability, strength and ability to execute his trauma into series.

Frida Kahlo is another example she is a renowned Mexican artist who experienced immense physical and emotional pain throughout her life, including a near-fatal bus accident and a tumultuous marriage with Diego Rivera. Kahlo's art often depicted her suffering, but also her resilience and strength, making her a symbol of empowerment for many.

There's also Nelson Mandela A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader who endured many decades of grueling imprisonment and oppression under the apartheid regime. Despite the trauma and hardships he faced, Mandela emerged as a global symbol of reconciliation and forgiveness, leading his country to democracy as its first black president.

With this being said, Would you capitalize on your trauma?

Disclaimer: I want to acknowledge that talking about trauma can be deeply personal and sensitive. It's important to approach this conversation with empathy, understanding, and respect for everyone's unique experiences and boundaries. Please remember that participation is entirely voluntary, and there's no pressure to share anything you're not comfortable discussing💓.

I would capitalize on my trauma.

I would not capitalize on my trauma.

[Kaneki05]

Turning something bad into a positive is a good idea. But there is for sure a fine line. It just depends if it's genuine or not. It's the same way you can blame stuff on your trauma that's true. I know my personality is very much warped by my mothers abuse so if someone asks me why Im like this I say my mother.

But I never would use it as an excuse. A reason sure but not an excuse. Taking responsibility is key, but been aware of what makes you behave such way is good to know.

Personally I hate the fact that if I see someone who's got my mothers body weight I get a bit grossed out and assume they are list of insults here. But then I take a step back and go that's a irrational thought which I know where it comes from. Letting me realise it's not right. And the best part is my mothers weight wasn't her fault it's in her case a medical thing so it makes me even more annoyed that such thoughts pop into my head.

We as humans are bias to our own experiences and the only ones who fail are those who don't return to rational thoughts.

[Asker]

I really admire your outlook 💯. I completely agree with you too it can be a good thing to turn something bad into a positive! We actually do need to revert back to rational thinking at all times, it really helps in most instances to do that so I completely agree with you! You know what this is very insightful thank you so much for sharing 💓.

[Kaneki05]

Thank you, you make some interesting questions and seem to take insight back so my pleasure.

[Asker]

Thank you very much! 😊

[handsomelad70]

Mr. Mandela's apartheid-caused ordeal is something about which too few ordinary folk can even imagine.

[Lynx122]

I wanna capitalize on my experience with mental health to help others I wanna get some credentials and then also make content on youtube but I don't think it's capitalizing on your trauma. I think life experience in general puts you in a position where you have more perspective on life you see the bigger picture and you can tell others what you're seeing. I'm happy with my life the way it is now I don't need attention and money and clout to be happy but if I can make a positive impact on the world then I'll try and do that. That's how I see it. In the past you'd have a wise old person in a village who would advise the younger people when they were doing something that could be dangerous. And today we have the internet. There's a lot of grifters and frauds but there are still good people trying to help others find their way in life. And I think that's a nice thing.

[Asker]

I completely hear what you mean 💯, it’s great to share knowledge or wisdom with others in my opinion so I think it’s pretty awesome that you’re willing to do that! I wish you all the best of luck!💓

[Lynx122]

Thank you there's still a lot ahead of me but I'll do my best :)

[Anonymous]

I will be working on a book about how life online has caused so much trauma. Something that has been accompanied by sexual, psychological and emotional abuse in various ways for me.
It's based on the most cathartic relationship I've never had - which has left me more traumatised than ever before. But I think this was mutual.
We were doomed to fail, but he taught me things I didn't know I needed and craved.
Two very beautifully doomed people and we made complicated, messed up pollen into a flower that never blossomed.
He will never know how much he broke and repaired and I will never know who he truly was. The honour of having met him always outweighing the privilege of losing him.

[Asker]

Thank you for sharing!, I feel you've described trauma so well, it's complexed and I see that too in how you've described and explained your experience, honestly I wish you all the best with your book and with everything💓.

[electromagnetic]

I don’t think so for value or vanity but so I can remember how far I’ve come. It’s probably why most people have journals/diaries. It’s a way to work around the trauma for some and sort out their emotions and feeling about what they’ve been through.

I watched Baby Reindeer and it’s pretty messed up but uthe dude was messed up just as much as the chick was. Chaos across the board. I’m sure there were moments of exaggeration and embellishment for drama effects.

[Asker]

Definitely it’s good to look back at how far you’ve come as a person I agree 💯!

The show was based on reality and Richard said he added embellishments in terms of humour and anonymity especially because he felt it be too dark to watch and he wanted the real people the actors are portraying to remain anonymous so you do have a point.

He himself acknowledges that he isn’t perfect but he wanted to show he’s reality as authentically as he could cause when he was processing his trauma he wished there was a show like the one he made to help him and make it seem like he doesn’t have to be ashamed. He also states that he wanted to show just how complicated trauma is you know but it’s not a show for everyone for me it messed me up in fact I’m still messed up and I had to fast forward a lot cause I just couldn’t watch some scenes 💔

[DJB72]

I'm currently writing a book about my life. While it's hopefully going to earn something, my main reason for writing it is I believe I have something to offer showing you can survive anything with a smile on your face if you choose to.

Some things I've survived:

• My brother was killed in a road accident when he was 10 and I was 13
• My favourite aunt burned to death in a house fire
• My dad had two cancer scares, a nervous breakdown and ultimately brain cancer
• My mum has dementia
• I survived a cytokine storm caused by Covid, a 3 month coma, full metabolic arrest - cardiac, pulmonological and renal, and four hours CPR
• Two weeks after the above I had my leg amputated

And that's far from a comprehensive list. All before I was 49.


So Hell Yeah I'll tell my story...

[Asker]

Thank you much for sharing! @djb72, It's healing for many of us to read books about people's real life experiences you feel as though you're not alone and that someone is there with you, just by reading alone and you feel a sense of empowerment as well! Best wishes from me to you with your book 💓😊

[Selena1987]

Really?
How hard your life is and how strong you are.
👏👏

[DJB72]

😂 My pastor told me when I was 25 not to share my life story in one go because people would doubt so much could happen to someone in the space of 13 years - starting when I was 12. That took me up to point 2 above.

Everything since my dad first had cancer when I was 25 up to the amputation was between 25 and 48 - and I didn't include everything! My old pastor must be turning in the grave at the thought of me telling everything! 🤣🤣

[Asker]

I get what you mean!!! but at the end of the day this your story to tell in whatever way is comfortable for you 💯 @djb72.

[Anonymous]

I very much love baby reindeer. As someone who has experienced similar traumas, his openness I related to very closely. It made me cry a lot; since I felt a lot of the feelings and thoughts he felt. It was validating, and made me stop blaming myself so much.

I hadn't even realized I'd been rpd until I was watching a movie where it happened to a girl in a very similar way to myself; and seeing it happen to someone else made me realize it wasn't ok, healthy, or normal. It was very painful to see it and I spiraled but I appreciate the movie and I'm glad I know.

I don't care that he profited; his voice will help thousands or millions.

[Asker]

Thank you so much for sharing 💓and I agree with you!, he did a good job telling his story and I'm sure he helped millions see that they don't need to be ashamed of the trauma they went through and that it's perfectly okay to seek therapy and counselling to help cope with trauma, which was provided through the disclaimers on the show. I'm very sorry that you went through that love,

[Asker]

the more people come forward and talk about their experiences with trauma the more it will be normalized in our society and the more people will feel less shame because you really have nothing to be ashamed about there's nothing shameful about experiencing trauma. I wish we get to a place where seeking trauma counselling or therapy is promoted and accessible for anyone who would like that kind of support to help them cope with the trauma in helpful ways.

[DishLady]

If it’s something you’re doing to help others overcome THEIR trauma, then yes. If you’re using your trauma to garner funding gratuitously, then no.

[Asker]

In some cases people feel that why don't i share my traumatic experience as a way to process it, as a catharsis and as a way to heal so they figure why don't they also make a profit as well. Do you still feel it's wrong in that case?

[PeachyPie93]

I would if I could or it was worth anything but I doubt I could. It might make for a good movie tho lol.

[Asker]

I hear you!!! I also think it’s not a bad idea to profit off of your trauma if it’s what the person is comfortable with more especially 💯

[Flower7]

I wouldn’t because I’d be too embarrassed to tell people about it.

[Asker]

That's completely understandable💓, I really wish we will all as a society get to a place where we will no longer find trauma embarrassing because it really shouldn't be, it needs to be normalized because it happens to so many of us everyday. I also wish that trauma therapy will be promoted in future because it has helped so many people process trauma effectively.

I really don't feel like everyone has to share their experience with trauma if they do not want to or if they aren't comfortable doing so, it's a very personal topic and it's perfectly okay to not share it with certain people! 💯

[TheorionMage]

"Those without 'memory' are doomed to repeat..." It's only a 'life lesson' IF you're insightful ENOUGH to recognize a situation's similarities to a survived previous 'mis-judgement' BEFORE repeating YOUR previous choice!
You MAY 'counsel' a fellow friend BUT... the CHOICE, ... and its resultant consequences, REMAIN purely THEIR'S.

[Rangers]

No, not at all. Unless by "capitalize" you mean that I tell others what I overcame, in the hopes that those who go through something similar will persevere, then yes

[Asker]

That’s a commendable thing to do 💯 thank you for sharing!

[SotiCoto]

No. My weakness isn't something to be bragged about nor revelled in. It is something I am ashamed of.

[Asker]

It’s completely understandable to feel like that, also you’re not alone there’s many people who also have gone through trauma and who go through it everyday, so please do not ever feel alone. I really hope there will be a time when trauma will no longer be shameful but will instead be normalised. Because there’s nothing to be ashamed about honestly, I really hope that eventually going to therapy to deal with trauma will also be normalised in our society because it’s helpful or has been helpful for a number of people!. I really appreciate you opening up and sharing your experience and feelings💓💯.

[AngryCarl]

It's not enough to share your trauma. You have to share it in a way that's enjoyable for other people. Believe me, there is more than enough trauma to go around.

[Asker]

I completely understand your perspective, I think capitalising on your trauma is a hard thing to navigate 💯.

However, it’s doable you don’t always have to make it necessarily enjoyable, you can just be raw and honest.

I did not add too many examples but there’s people who’ve managed to inspire others to go seek some help or even feel a sense of normality after experiencing trauma. I think often people who have experienced trauma feel alone or like they’re the only ones who’ve gone through it or that only a few people have gone through it or they feel so ashamed so I feel when people make these shows, movies or books or even music depicting trauma as authentically as possible it’s comforting for a lot of people and it makes them see that trauma is normal and complex, non shameful and different for everyone you know.

It’s true many of us have experienced trauma but sharing about it no matter how many people are sharing is valuable also in terms of raising awareness. It gets lonely and isolating to deal with trauma so these kinds of books, songs etc can be helpful on so many different levels.

[AngryCarl]

You make a good point. In my life I've been privileged to meet many people suffering the results of trauma.

[sheikalana]

No. And is not something I would share with strangers.

[Asker]

that's completely understandable!💓💯

[TacosRAwesome]

I don't have the skills to capitalise on my trauma.

[Asker]

That’s also completely understandable, figuring out how to execute your own personal traumatic experiences as a way to make a profit doesn’t seem easy at all, this is why I honestly find it commendable to see people manage to do it! 💯

[ProbablyClueless]

Speaking from personal experience is what makes a good story. I'm not sure if I'm quite comfortable calling that capitalization.

[dreamstar72]

My trauma is to odd to believe, but it’s a good lesson to never give up.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Nobody cares what my trauma is. I could maybe take the proceeds and buy a taco, but I usually just make better ones at home.

[handsomelad70]

Yes, because I've retained my boyish good looks three years after my stroke.

[lorenzomichael]

Fuck yeah I would and if I could I’d cash in on someone else’s grief I’d do that too.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Depends on how bad I get hurt and if I'm gonna make a full recovery or not

[lightbulb27]

If can turn it to help others for sure

[abc3643]

TRAUMA