Through Fire & Ashes

Stories

Page 14 of 18, newest stories first.

• Chiara S.

  Merate, Italy

  What burned

  I lost part of my family in recent years, and along the way I lost myself because of a toxic relationship. I believed I was going to die.

  What glows

  I changed jobs, started therapy again, and met new people. I decided to love myself even in the dark moments, and I finally understood that I am a really good person and that the problem was not me. I got out of hell, even though some days it still knocks on my door.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Chiara S.

  What burned (original)

  Ho perso parte della mia famiglia negli ultimi anni e nel mentre ho perso me stessa per colpa di una relazione tossica. Ho creduto di morire.

  What glows (original)

  Ho cambiato posto di lavoro, ho ricominciato la terapia e ho conosciuto persone nuove. Ho deciso di volermi bene anche nei momenti bui e ho capito, finalmente, d’essere una gran bella persona e che il problema non ero io. Sono uscita dall’inferno, anche se certi giorni bussa ancora alla mia porta.

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Randy L.

  Wilmington, United States

  What burned

  Lost the woman of my dreams. She meant the world to me.

  What glows

  I still have my faith in God and daily try to find good or positive things. It is very difficult most days but trying every day.

  Track

  Wireless

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• Laika J.

  Berlim, Germany

  What burned

  When I was a teenager, we moved from the city to the countryside. It was hard to leave everything behind.

  What glows

  Music has always been with me, through both the good times and the bad. And I still need music every day, all the time. I believe that, despite the difficulties, we can follow our dreams and have the freedom we want in life.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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• Diede S.

  Arnhem, Netherlands

  What burned

  i lost a lot of myself when i grew up, home wasn't always a safe space.

  What glows

  my best friend, my partner and my animals give me strength, and i'm using that strength to help others now i'm a healthcare worker)

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

  6 kudos

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• Kat N.

  Poznań, Poland

  What burned

  The bridges that once led me to the people I loved and held close. Some went up in flames, others slowly crumbled into ashes, leaving behind nothing but distance and the familiar, bitter aftertaste of what once felt like home.

  What glows

  My dreams, my restless thoughts, and the sheer stubbornness of a hope that keeps flickering, yet refuses to die. Ambition and perseverance still keep the fire alive, though it's bittersweet to realise there's no one beside me to share its warmth.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Erik B.

  Bologna, Italy · Instagram: erikbe (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  In September, my husband David died by suicide, a month after our tenth wedding anniversary. We had built a life together in America and brought it with us to Italy. I miss him in the middle of ordinary things, like hearing a song and wanting to know what he thinks of it. I thought we still had years of those little conversations ahead of us.

  What glows

  There's a room by a creek in Tennessee where David asked me to marry him. He loved rock and country. Sometimes a country song takes me back there, and for a moment I get to remember what it felt like to belong. I also write poems and novels. Writing is helping me express and confront things that are hard to say.

  Track

  Ritual

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• Moniek S.

  Langenboom, Netherlands

  What burned

  Losing one my best friend on suicide, and seeing someone jumping of a bridge

  What glows

  Support from friends and the endless love they give. And the sounds of music lyrics gives me strength.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Amy W.

  Birkenhead, United Kingdom · Instagram: Amy.west.3348 (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I lost the most important person in my life in 2005 suddenly and life was difficult. Getting fibromyalgia and losing everything again nearly made me give up.

  What glows

  My nan Winifred gave me strength and the will to go on and though she’s not here anymore I have my mum now as well. Listening to your music has also helped a lot. My cat Smokey and dogs Luna and pip make life enjoyable.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

  4 kudos

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• Nate O.

  Venustiano Carranza, Mexico · Instagram: NateHowl (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I've been unemployed for over a year, and aka was bullied in my childhood. Also, the current right wing state of politics, where minorities are persecuted and treated like shit.

  What glows

  I belong to an international community and organization dedicated to heal men's wounds through love, acceptance, accountability and brothership. My wife has also been tremendously supportive of my current unemployment.

  Track

  The Reckoning

  3 kudos

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• Taras M.

  Cherkasy, Ukraine · Instagram: itsmetaras (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I haven't seen my family or friends for almost six years and I cannot go back home because of the war. I am all alone, in the limbo of bureaucracy, uncertainty, unemployment, and the worst mental struggles I've ever had.

  What glows

  My only close friend is music. It knows how I feel, it never judges, and it is always there for me when I need it. Music consoles me and gives me the strength I need to carry on, despite the empty tank I've had for years.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Katy O.

  Norwalk, CT, United States · Instagram: Katyanoctis (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Dealing with constant anxiety and panic attacks for months before finding medication that worked. I was convinced every bridge I drove over would crumble under me, could barely get through a day without a panic attack, & physically could not relax.

  What glows

  I have 2 groups of friends I found online via common interests that have become found family. We are international - around the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia! I have had so many wonderful experiences because of these people and don’t know where I’d be without them in my life.

  Track

  Ice Queen

  5 kudos

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• Jess H.

  Odense, Denmark

  What burned

  Having to face the break up with a toxic parent who didn’t have the capacity to love me. I haven’t spoken to my father in over 4 years.

  What glows

  The peace and forgiveness that I carry with me: I forgive him for not being able to be the parent I needed him to be and I am at peace with having left him behind. Having a mother and a stepdad who was there to lift me up and love me, gave me the strength to walk through this fire

  Track

  Wireless

  5 kudos

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• Tania C.

  Torreón, Mexico

  What burned

  I became a mother at a very young age, but I was happy from the very first moment—I was expecting twins. However, as time went on, I had a bad feeling; I knew something wasn’t right. And when the time came, my fears were confirmed: one of my twins did not survive the premature birth. At that moment, you don’t know what to do; you learn to live with it, but that wound remains in your heart forever.

  What glows

  Despite this, I feel there is a "before" and an "after." I live for my son; I am a more empathetic person and I truly appreciate life—carrying that wound in my heart, yet moving forward. ❤️‍🔥

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• Suma Q.

  Leimen, Germany · Instagram: empress.suma (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Had to leave behind everything I had, escaping an abusive family, having to trust a person online to help me. I ended up bullied by the same person, who rescued me to another city far away and left me ultimately homeless. My only option was to leave the country, and leave even more behind. My memory has decayed, as well as skills I had are now lost.

  What glows

  In the end, I traveled further than I could have ever imagined, met new people, who have helped relentlessly, and seen things I could have only dreamt about. Found new passions, and reasons to stay strong.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

  3 kudos

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• Elyce R.

  Portland, United States

  What burned

  My young adult child left us in anger this year .

  What glows

  We are working on reconciling and watching her fly and grow.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Chris S.

  Bradford, United Kingdom

  What burned

  I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and the whole process from diagnosis to treatment was a blur. Decisive action and an operation had saved my life, but it had left me with long lasting anxiety and worry. I also lost friends who couldn’t support me whilst I was dealing with these lasting effects which often lead to anger and and reactions where i would flip out

  What glows

  I got help and learned to recognise and deal with the anxiety and the reactions. My friendship group is closer and more supportive having lost those who weren’t in my corner along the way. Now I grasp any opportunity to make new memories and adventures as you never know what’s around the corner.

  Track

  The Reckoning

  7 kudos

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• Fede F.

  Salerno, Italy · Instagram: fedeferr11 (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  The image of myself, everything I thought I was and had to be. My relationship with my family. My dreams and what I want to do, and now, on the threshold of 40, I am completely lost and chained to a place I don't like and can't escape from, while I try to reconcile the person I show and the person I really am, with what I really need. I can't find the way and I can't find the way out.

  What glows

  I don't give up and I keep moving forward, trying new paths and trying not to despair. Music helps me, my passions give me strength. The awareness that whoever I am, I am not weak, I never have been. I am not the only one who is lost and I can make it. I will break the chains.

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Fede F.

  What burned (original)

  L'immagine di me, tutto quello che pensavo di essere e dover essere, Il rapporto con la mia famiglia. I miei sogni e quello che voglio fare e ora alla soglia dei 40 anni sono completamente persa e incatenata in un posto che non mi piace e da cui non riesco a scappare, mentre cerco di riconciliare la persona che mostro e la persona che sono davvero, con quello di cui ho davvero bisogno. Non trovo la strada e non trovo la via di uscita.

  What glows (original)

  Non mi arrendo e continuo ad andare avanti, provando nuove strade e cercando di non disperare. La musica mi aiuta, le mie passioni mi danno la forza. La consapevolezza che chiunque io sia, non sono debole, non lo sono mai stata. Non sono l'unica persa e posso farcela. Spezzerò le catene.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

  1 kudo

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• Nick B.

  Providence, United States

  What burned

  A deep love deciding I didn't belong in their life anymore

  What glows

  Finding love for myself in the absence of theirs.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

  5 kudos

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• Shirley T.

  Prague, Czechia · Instagram: shirleytracanna (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  When I lost dad to cancer. It was the hardest time of my life, psychologically and phisically, I wasn’t able to function but in the meanwhile I had to manage alle the things around… those practical stuff. I was ready to give up all my dreams and ambitions and close myself.

  What glows

  When I got the offer to open on the tour of one of my favourite bands. It made me feel happy and proud, and motivate me to go on.

  Track

  The Reckoning

  3 kudos

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• Eef W.

  Tilburg, Netherlands · Instagram: Artsy_Eef (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I have a lot of excess weight. That makes my life not easy. I know that I will lose this weight someday, but it is hard with a hormonal illness on top of it and depression. I simply can't do some things at the moment, and I am always afraid of what people think of me. People around me are also not always very kind to me about it, and they also don't understand how hard the "normal" things are with depression.

  What glows

  I have found wonderful people who accept me the way I am. Especially my girlfriend (I never thought I would find love) she understands me very well after I was able to explain how certain things feel for me. Our communication is incredibly good, and I never have to put on a mask with her, and that feels incredibly liberating. I am incredibly grateful to her, and she has taught me that people also deserve the chance to understand you. Be open, and the right people will stay with you!

  Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Eef W.

  What burned (original)

  Ik heb erg veel overgewicht. Wat mijn leven niet gemakkelijk maakt. Ik weet dat ik dit gewicht ooit kwijt ga raken maar het is lastig met een hormoonziekte erbij en depressie. Ik kan sommige dingen gewoon niet doen op het moment en ik ben altijd bang wat mensen van mij denken. Mensen in mijn omgeving zijn ook niet altijd even aardig tegen mij erover en begrijpen ook niet hoe moeilijk de "normale" dingen zijn met een depressie.

  What glows (original)

  Ik heb geweldige mensen gevonden die mij nemen zoals ik ben. Vooral mijn vriendin (Ik had nooit gedacht liefde te vinden) zij begrijpt mij heel goed nadat ik uit kon leggen hoe bepaalde dingen voelen voor me. Onze communicatie is ontzettend goed en ik hoef nooit een masker bij haar op te zetten en dat voelt ontzettend bevrijdend. Ik ben haar ontzettend dankbaar en ze heeft mij geleerd dat mensen ook de kans verdienen om je te begrijpen. Ben open en de juiste mensen zullen bij je blijven!

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

  7 kudos

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• Camilo M.

  BOGOTA, D.C., Colombia · Instagram: cmeyberg (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  A lifetime of Complex PTSD from systematic, brutal violence on every front. From childhood, I faced profound loneliness, family abuse alongside my parents, and exposure to sexual predators. I survived relentless psychological, physical and sexual abuse in relationships, silenced by fear. I endured racism far from home and fought a lonely battle to accept my identity. I carried the crushing weight of holding my world together to prevent it from shattering, surviving a fire meant to end me.

  What glows

  A fierce resilience that refused to die. When the real world was unbearable, books and endless knowledge became my sanctuary. Out of systemic violence, I forged myself into three pillars: an engineer, a statistician, and a classical pianist. Science gave me the order my life was denied, and the piano became the voice for my pain. Through every page I read, every chord I play, and every system I build, I reclaim my power. The fire didn't destroy me; it forged me into steel.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

  9 kudos

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• Tomáš K.

  Brno, Czechia · Instagram: Tominfergason (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  My entire life has been confined by complex health complications caused by the sun, turning everyday existence into a living hell. Deep within lies an unhealing wound: losing my first love to a homophobic attack, a nightmare that scarred me forever. Compounding this grief is living in a society that refuses to accept who I am, forcing me to hide my true self. Bound by physical limitations, devastating loss, and relentless prejudice, so much of my life has been burned away.

  What glows

  Yet from those ashes, I relentlessly strive to become the best version of myself. My incredible partner is my sanctuary, gently painting vivid colors onto what used to be a monochrome, grayscale existence. My purpose and greatest driving force is being a pillar of strength for the people I hold dearest, every single smile and triumph of theirs fuels my soul to keep moving forward. Even if a hostile world forces me into darkness, their love empowers me to glow fiercely from within.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

  5 kudos

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• Jonna M.

  Nokia, Finland

  What burned

  So many things throughout my whole life, it's impossible to put it all in a short summary. Point is, I'm scarred probably for the rest of my life, both mentally and physically.

  What glows

  Despite everything, I'm still here. Still surviving, still fighting, still living.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

  6 kudos

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• Liam N.

  Wevelgem, Belgium · Instagram: Gluestick_in_mailbox (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  My mother cheated and left us for another man. She said she didn’t want to see me anymore but complains that she doesn’t see me when she needs to pay. She put me thru hell and put me in a dark place. I was suicidal because of her and she made me want to go away forever. My whole life had gone downhill from there and I had to grow up when I was still a kid. My life is a complete mess and I still suffer.

  What glows

  The only thing keeping me here is friends, family, my pets and music. If I didn’t have those this I wouldn’t be here anymore.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Matthias V.

  Sint-Gillis-Waas, Belgium · Instagram: matthias__vb_ (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  When I was a teenager years old I got falsely accused of sexual harassment which made me go through a very difficult time with a lot of struggles, mentally mostly. I started to wonder why people wouldn't believe me and if there was someone who would listen. I fought everyday and still do today, even though it has been five years. I was having doubts about everything at certain moments and I didn't know whether I could ever be freed from these terrible feelings and thoughts I once had.

  What glows

  I had a lot of support of my closest family and some friends who genuinely believed me and tried to help me as much as possible. Also my psychologist helped me gain my confidence back. I wanted to tell my story cause it's quite unusual and people don't normally believe an unusual story. I am now even working on my own monologue, a show in which I try to tell people how much certain things can hurt you. It's called "The Art Of Falling Apart" and it's about resilience to finding beauty in the dark

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