Naomi B.
What burned
Being forced to play a role of someone others wanted me to be, but not being able to be myself for the longest time
What glows
Starting to take care of me and what I wanted and needed to be happy
Track
Don't Pray for Me
431 stories from 52 countries, 1925 kudos given in total.
Stories
Page 3 of 18, newest stories first.
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Roland R.
What burned
My mother died this year after a long illness.
What glows
It may sound silly, but my husky Archie. Thanks to him I still had to get up, go outside and take care of him and myself.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Roland R.
What burned (original)
Meine Mutter starb dieses Jahr nach langer Krankheit.
What glows (original)
Es klingt vielleicht albern, aber mein Husky Archie. Dank ihm musste ich trotzdem aufstehen, raus gehen und mich um ihn und mich kümmern.
Track
Sing Like A Siren
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Patrick B.
What burned
In 2014 I had a burnout. Back then I gave everything for my job and my relationship, drained myself, and in the end lost everything. I checked myself into a psychiatric clinic. 6 weeks inpatient; 10 weeks outpatient. I was pretty much at "rock bottom". Being lied to and cheated on for 2 years by someone is something so profound. My worldview at the time, that everyone means well for me, was badly shaken.
What glows
In therapy I learned a lot. Of course techniques, methods for self-regulation. I learned to notice my needs, to take them seriously, and to say "no". But what ultimately helped me out of the low was the music of Within Temptation. Especially the song "The Whole World Is Watching". That was my song, someone was telling my life and my story here. The song gave me so much strength, and still does today. It saved my life.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Patrick B.
What burned (original)
Im Jahr 2014 hatte ich ein Burnout. Ich habe damals für Beruf und Beziehung alles gegeben, mich ausgelaugt und am Ende alles verloren. Ich habe mich selbst in eine psychiatrische Klinik begeben. 6 Wochen Stantionär; 10 Wochen ambulant. Ich war ziemlich «Rock bottom». Von jemandem 2 Jahre belogen und betrogen zu werden ist etwas so tiefgreifendes. Mein damaliges Weltbild, das es alle Menschen nur gut meinen mit mir, kam sehr ins Wanken.
What glows (original)
In der Therapie habe ich vieles gelernt. Natürlich Techniken, Methoden zur Selbstregulation. Ich habe gelernt mich, meine Bedürfnisse wahrzunehmen und ernst zu nehmen und «nein» zu sagen. Doch was mir schlussendlich sehr aus dem Tief rausgeholfen hat, war die Musik von Within Temptation. Insbesondere der Song «The whole world is watching». Das war mein Song, jemand erzählte hier mein Leben und meine Geschichte. Der Song gab und gibt mir so viel Kraft, noch heute. Er hat mir das Leben gerettet
Track
The Reckoning
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Chris K.
What burned
I went through drag addiction and alcoholism.
What glows
I'm now 9 months sober, and never been more happier.
Track
Ritual
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Ramona J.
What burned
The universe guides you along your path, even when it is deeply painful and you come close to facing death. You begin to doubt yourself and think you have to change for others—a conflict between doubt and heartache.
What glows
But my sister, my responsibility for my cats, and the love I have for them brought light back into my life. I will stay true to who I am: a fighter. I will always fight for my ideals, because love—in whatever form—is the strongest force of all. Keep telling the universe what you wish for, from the bottom of your heart, and it will happen when you are ready for it. The words of my former teacher—“Where there’s a will, there’s a way”—have shaped my life and continue to do so.
Track
Ritual
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Adrian B.
What burned
At my school, instead of learning, I was just trying to survive. The other students would constantly insult me, but at that school, even the teachers and the principal humiliated me. On top of that, I had an accident, constant arguments with my parents, and broken friendships because of their lies. Because of everything I went through,I lost my self-confidence, my faith, and my ability to trust people.I became empty inside,and I even wanted to end it all because nothing made sense to me anymore.
What glows
Throughout all these years, as I walked through fire and flames, watching everything around me fall apart, seeing people change beyond recognition, and witnessing lies everywhere, music was what helped me keep going. It always gave me strength and allowed me to see everything from a different perspective. It taught me that the truth, even when painful, is the most important thing. Maybe I'm heartless now, but at least I'm still standing and i'm still Stand my ground.
Track
Raise Your Banner
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Mark R.
What burned
I lost my Dad the day before my birthday last year, the hardest thing I've gone through in my life. Added to that I've been dealing with moderate to severe depression for most of the last 15 years.
What glows
I still have my Mum and older Brother, I have my own house, I have heat, a bed to sleep in, food in my body, there are so many who can't even say that in today's world and I recognize that, and how lucky I am in comparison.
Track
Sing Like A Siren
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A S.
What burned
For days I feel a sadness so deep that I feel nothing matters, life has no meaning and all I want is for it to end. On days like this I only wish to die. The worst part is that there is no reason, I'm usually fine and suddenly this bad feeling comes. I try to hide it so that sometimes they don't notice, because usually they don't understand. I feel like I'm just waiting for the day everything ends, I don't feel like I'm really living.
What glows
My family gives me strength not to give up, because I don't want to cause them pain. Having some hobbies helps me distract myself and pass the time.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of A S.
What burned (original)
Tem dias que sinto uma tristeza tão profunda que sinto que nada importa, a vida não tem sentido e tudo que quero é que acabe, em dias assim só desejo morrer. O pior é que não tem um motivo, geralmente estou bem e de repente vem esse sentimento ruim. Tento disfarçar para que as vezes não percebam, porque geralmente elas não entendem. Sinto que estou apenas esperando o dia que tudo acabe, não sinto que estou vivendo de verdade.
What glows (original)
Minha família me dá forças para não desistir, porque não quero causar uma dor neles. Ter alguns hobbies me ajuda a me distrair e passar o tempo.
Track
Sing Like A Siren
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S W.
What burned
After I was sexually assaulted… It revealed some big changes in the way that I thought and lived and loved…
What glows
It strengthened my spirit because I was angry, and then I was gonna become stronger than that with my determination never to have it happen again. We have no control over everything. But we can control the way we go through things. The sadness, And ultimately the strength to work through some of it emerged even though you always carry some other parts of it. But the joy comes back in life when I draw and paint and do photography. And this is how I deal with some of the aspects of that time now.
Track
Ice Queen
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Rhea M.
What burned
I ignored myself for so long I lost everything but the roof over my head. My health, my career, my loves and my will to live.
What glows
A belief that there is something out there that will watch over me as I climb out of this to find myself and my place in the world. I belong here, and I will find a way to help others feel like they belong too.
Track
The Purge
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João Pedro R.
What burned
My mother had an accident three weeks ago and broke her spine. She will be left paraplegic, but she is still fighting for her life every single day at the hospital. The life we once knew has burned.
What glows
My love for her shines brighter than I ever thought possible, and I will do everything in my power to give her the best quality of life possible.
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mike S.
What burned
For many years, I went through life, wanting to explore the world. But the idea of getting on any type of air transportation was something I could not put myself through. Eventually, I was able to take a very small trip and have a tattoo with the type of plane and day tattooed across my heart. I use that as a reminder that I can conquer anything.
What glows
Everything is still good, and I have traveled to a great many places now even though that fear is still lingers inside of me
Track
The Reckoning
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Bailey S.
What burned
I've been through many family conflicts, some quite traumatic, which has not only changed me, but the relationships with people once very close to me. I've also learned the hard way how to be 'human' through so much trial and error. It has been extremely taxing. I've lost a lot of pieces of me, and have struggled with my own mental health throughout these challenges.
What glows
My spirit hasn't left, and I continue to help my family and grow as a person. It's been a very tough last few years, but I still push forwards. I won't let the things of my past and my struggles hold me back.
Track
Raise Your Banner
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Drew T.
What burned
Financial stress, an OCD diagnosis, my mother getting us evicted from our co-owned apartment and her cancer diagnosis. Dealing with the guilt of her diagnosis while cutting ties at the same time.
What glows
My dogs. My sister. My cats. Everything in life I’d miss out on if I was gone. Realizing that cutting ties was the best thing to happen for me.
Track
Wireless
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Pascale P.
What burned
In May Pam passed away. 46 years old. The silence is deafening and cuts. Days without her are a contest. I miss all my stories that I only shared with her, just like her advice. Although I know very well what her advice would have been. Our late night calls. I scroll through memories from all the years we've been together. I have her voice in videos and recordings that I listen to. It hurts, missing her, but I will never forget our trip down memory lane.
What glows
I met a new man at the memorial place I set up for my deceased girlfriend in Uppsala. On the burial mound Freya, a real Viking man. Two ravens above us and a beautiful sunset. July 29.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Pascale P.
What burned (original)
In mei overleed Pam. 46 jaar. De stilte is oorverdovend en snijd. Dagen zonder is een contest. Al m’n verhalen die ik alleen deelde met haar mis ik, net als haar adviezen. Al weet ik goed wat haar adviezen waren geweest. Onze late night calls. Ik scroll door herinneringen van al de jaren ben ze aant bundelen. Haar stem heb ik in filmpjes en opnames waar ik naar luister. Het doet pijn, haar missen, maar zal onze trip down memory lane nooit vergeten.
What glows (original)
Ik heb een nieuwe man leren kennen op de gedenk plek die ik inrichtte voor mijn overleden vriendin in Uppsala. Op de grafheuvel Freya een echte Viking man. Twee raven boven ons en een prachtige zonsondergang. 29 juli.
Track
The Reckoning
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Nicolette C.
What burned
I’m falling in and out of love with my husband of almost 10 years. I feel like I was forced to become a stay at home mom to raise our two kids and I am pregnant with our third. I don’t feel like I know who I am anymore and what I always thought I wanted in life is always out of reach.
What glows
My daughter is the reason I’m still here. She fills my cup and I feel a connection with her that transcends everything. That our souls will always be together in this life and the next and I’m sure the ones before this one.
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Ashleigh F.
What burned
I lost myself. I had to fight to relearn how to be who I was, and why I was that way. I lost myself mind, my memory, my body, and parts of my soul. The Ashleigh of before died, and I was what was left. A shell.
What glows
I had to rebuild myself. In that rebuilding, I had to confront the bad part of myself which was also lost. I had an opportunity, a clean slate, to realise why I did some of the things I did, and make another choice. In losing myself, I got to rebuild albeit with different stones, a new version, a better version to show who I am now.
Track
The Purge
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Евгений Ш.
What burned
I have been through a lot in my 33 years: pain, worries, betrayal, humiliation from people since early childhood. Problems in the family. I have withdrawn into myself. I don't talk to anyone, I have no family and no children. I live the life of a hermit. And more than once I have been visited by thoughts of suicide.
What glows
There is nothing. For me there is no normal life anymore.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Евгений Ш.
What burned (original)
Я пережил многое в жизни за 33 года, боль, переживания, предательство, унижения от людей самого детства. Проблемы в семье. Я замкнулся в себе. Ни скем не общаюсь, нет не семьи не детей. Веду образ жизни отшельника. И не раз меня посещают мысли о суициде.
What glows (original)
Ничего, для меня нет уже нормальной жизни.
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Filip K.
What burned
I am highly sensitive and for 7 years, until the 2nd grade of technical school, I was avoided and rejected by my peers. I lost my only best friend, who was hit by a car right before my eyes. I was criticized for loving to create and listen to metal and rock music in every style. I always helped everyone without expecting anything in return. In technical school I was betrayed by two close people when I was seriously ill; they recorded a video and sent it to me showing how they were betraying me. I found out that I have an incurable intestinal disease.
What glows
I had to face it. I came to terms with the pain in 2023, when on Easter holidays on television, with my loving family, I listened to the song "Bleed Out" in silence and bled out the years of pain. That was when my adventure of listening to the band began, and I found the self-belief that allowed me to move forward. Closeness to family is very important. But I understood: "The greatest strength is not born from how many people stand by you, but from how many times you can get back up when no one is standing by you."
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Filip K.
What burned (original)
Jestem wysoko wrażliwy i przez 7 lat byłem do 2 klasy technikum unikany, odtrącany prze moich rówieśników, straciłem jedynego najlepszego przyjaciela który został potrącony na moich oczach, byłem krytykowany za to że uwielbiam tworzyć i słuchać muzykę metal i rock w każdym stylu. Zawsze każdemu pomagałem bezinteresownie, zostałem zdradzony w technikum przez dwie bliskie osoby gdy byłem ciężko chory, nagrali film i wysłały mi jak mnie zdradzają. Dowiedziałem się że mam nieuleczalnie chore jelito.
What glows (original)
Musiałem się zmierzyć z tym. Pogodziłem się z bólem w 2023 roku gdy w telewizji w święta wielkanocne z kochającą rodziną posłuchałem utworu "Bleed Out" w ciszy wykrwawiłem się z lat bólu. Wtedy zaczęła się moja przygoda słuchania zespołu i odnalazłem wiarę w siebie która pozwoliła mi ruszyć do przodu. Bliskość rodziny jest bardzo ważna. Lecz zrozumiałem „Największa siła nie rodzi się z tego, ilu ludzi stoi przy tobie, lecz z tego, ile razy potrafisz podnieść się, gdy nie stoi przy tobie nikt.”
Track
Raise Your Banner
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Artur D.
What burned
Growing up after losing my father too early and carrying quiet fear for my aging family's fading health. Living in a body that rarely gives me a break—fighting severe chronic spine pain and going through a heart procedure before thirty. On top of that, surviving deep betrayal in my relationship that shattered my self-worth, while feeling isolated in an unforgiving environment where you constantly have to hide parts of yourself just to get by.
What glows
Pure stubbornness—refusing to give up when running purely on willpower. Finding the strength to rebuild trust and choose love again after hitting rock bottom instead of walking away. Holding onto the dream of mastering my voice, writing an album, and standing on stage. Loyal friends who kept me anchored, the vision of a warmer life by the sea with trips to the Norwegian fjords, and Within Temptation—whose music has been my steady light for 15 years. My spark is still here.
Track
Sing Like A Siren
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Em W.
What burned
Losing my 5 year old dog Woody to chronic pain this year. Miss my side kick everyday.
What glows
Although how hard it is seeing how strong I’ve become and I am handling things.
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N T.
What burned
I have lost a lot along the way, people, experiences... Struggled with serious mental health issues.
What glows
I have learned from my experiences and mistakes and I have grown to be a better person.
Track
The Purge
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Dmitry Y.
What burned
War. There is no reason in 21th century to begin fullscale war. Every life does matter
What glows
Would be great to return to my lovely wife, daughter, dear mom
Track
The Reckoning
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Valerio L.
What burned
Losing both of my parents meant watching my roots collapse. For a long time I walked among the rubble of a silent, deep pain, suddenly feeling lost, orphaned not only of their presence, but also of the most secure and authentic part of myself
What glows
From the ashes of that emptiness I learned that true love never dies, it only changes form. Today my parents live in my breath, in my choices, and in the courage I find every morning to honor the life they gave me. Their light continues to guide me even in the darkest night
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Valerio L.
What burned (original)
Perdere entrambi i miei genitori ha significato vedere crollare le mie radici. Per molto tempo ho camminato tra le macerie di un dolore silenzioso e profondo, sentendomi improvvisamente smarrito orfano non solo della loro presenza, ma anche della parte più sicura e autentica di me stesso
What glows (original)
Dalle ceneri di quel vuoto ho imparato che l'amore vero non muore mai, cambia solo forma. Oggi i miei genitori vivono nel mio respiro, nelle mie scelte e nel coraggio che trovo ogni mattina per onorare la vita che mi hanno donato. La loro luce continua a guidarmi anche nel buio più fitto
Track
Ice Queen
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Eline V.
What burned
The neverending daily battle against the voices in my head telling me I'm not good enough, telling me to stop fighting and give up. Constantly fighting myself.
What glows
Still looking for what glows.. and what makes life worth living for me.
Track
The Purge
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