Through Fire & Ashes

Stories

Page 6 of 18, newest stories first.

• Diogo F.

  Torres Vedras, Portugal

  What burned

  I grew up in a hostile environment, surrounded by alcohol because of my brothers, and psychological violence from my grandmother. Being a gay child made everything even harder.

  What glows

  My mother tried to protect me from everything, and she was my anchor my whole life. 4 years ago, I lost my mother, but the good memories remain, and the courage to face life every day, thanks to her. She lives in me in every laugh, every tear, and that gives me strength to always be more and better.

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  What burned (original)

  Cresci num ambiente hostil, rodeado de alcool pelos meus irmãos, e violência psicológica pela minha avó. Sendo uma criança gay, tornou tudo ainda mais difícil.

  What glows (original)

  A minha mãe tentou proteger-me de tudo, e foi a minha âncora durante toda a minha vida. Há 4 anos atrás, perdi a minha mãe, mas ficam as memórias boas, e a coragem de enfrentar a vida todos os dias, graças a ela. Ela vive em mim a cada gargalhada, a cada lágrima, e isso dá-me força para ser sempre mais e melhor.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Biene S.

  Iserlohn, Germany

  What burned

  I had to give up my oldest dream of what I had wanted to become in life. Without my finest goal, I was empty and a nothing in the whole wide world.

  What glows

  Still there were people around me, friends, beloved ones, who were always by my side, who believed in me, and backed me up when I found no more strength. And so I chose another path and it lead me to something absolutely wonderful!

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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• Anónimo A.

  Medellín, Colombia

  What burned

  Brutal workplace harassment and bullying under false accusations when I worked for the government, with active participation of the public security forces against me, as retaliation for strictly fulfilling the legal duties of my position and for reporting irregular acts by public employees. They tortured me psychologically without mercy, discredited me publicly and damaged my reputation.

  What glows

  Everything got better with my resignation from the government post, with the support of my friends and listening to the music of 7 Rock and Metal bands, among them you: WITHIN TEMPTATION.

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  What burned (original)

  Un brutal acoso y hostigamiento laboral bajo falsas acusaciones cuando trabajé para el gobierno, con participación activa de la fuerza pública en mi contra, como retaliación por cumplir estrictamente las funciones legales de mi cargo y denunciar actos irregulares de empleados públicos. Me torturaron sin piedad psicológicamente, me desacreditaron públicamente y dañaron mi reputación.

  What glows (original)

  Todo se superó con la renuncia al cargo del gobierno, con el apoyo de mis amigos y escuchando la música de 7 bandas de Rock y Metal, entre ellas ustedes: WITHIN TEMPTATION.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

  2 kudos

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• Manuela V.

  Hermagor, Austria

  What burned

  I have lost myself quite often. Through setbacks and events and bad relationships I have often felt broken.

  What glows

  I don't want what happened to say more about me than my personality. I rise above those events and I don't give up.

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  What burned (original)

  Ik ben mijzelf best vaak verloren. Door tegenslagen en gebeurtenissen en slechte relaties heb ik me vaak kapot gevoelt.

  What glows (original)

  Ik wil wat gebeurt is niet meer laten zeggen over mij dan mijn persoonlijkheid. Ik sta boven die gebeurtenissen en geef niet op.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Daniele F.

  Niterói, Brazil · X: RowanMayfair0 (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  It's been 18 years since my grandmother was lost to cancer, but it still hurts.

  What glows

  Now I have my son, he is what keeps me going. It isn't always easy, he has ADHD. We live in therapies.

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  What burned (original)

  A perda da minha avó para um câncer faz 18 anos, mas ainda dói.

  What glows (original)

  Agora tenho meu filho, é o que me mantém. Nem sempre é fácil, ele tem TDAH. Vivemos em terapias.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Christopher Z.

  Marktredwitz, Germany

  What burned

  I have had to struggle with setbacks in my life several times. At school in the past I was often bullied and didn't feel respected. That still haunts me after so many years. In 2017 I lost my grandfather, which I struggled with for a long time. In 2019 my one grandmother, and at the beginning of 2025, unfortunately, my beloved mom, which I am still really chewing on. I also sometimes feel in everyday life like I don't belong, and sometimes I struggle with a lack of self-confidence.

  What glows

  I am a person who never gives up. I fight for what I love, and what I love gives me strength. When I notice that people are not doing well, I try to build them up again and encourage them. I believe in the good in this gray world. What gives me massive strength and brings me massive joy in my heart is Within Temptation. I love this band and Sharon's wonderful voice. I always get massive goosebumps. All your songs give me so much strength, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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  What burned (original)

  Ich hatte schon öfters mit Rückschlägen in meinen Leben zu kämpfen. In der Schule früher wurde ich oft gemobbt und fühlte mich nicht Respektiert. Dass hängt mir auch nach so vielen Jahren immernoch nach. 2017 verlor ich meinen Opa wo ich lange zu Kämpfen hatte. 2019 meine eine Oma und Anfang 2025 leider meine geliebte Mama wo ich noch echt dran zu knappern habe. Ich fühle mich auch manchmal im Alltag so als gehöre ich nicht dazu und hab manchmal mit mangelten Selbstbewusstsein zu Kämpfen.

  What glows (original)

  Ich bin ein Mensch der niemals aufgibt. Ich kämpfe für das das ich Liebe und es gibt mir kraft was ich Liebe. Wenn ich merke dass es Menschen nicht gut geht versuche ich sie wieder aufzubauen und zu ermutigen. Ich glaube an das gute in dieser grauen Welt. Was mir mega Kraft gibt und mir mega Freude in meinen Herzen macht ist Within Temptation. Ich liebe diese Band und Sharons Wundervolle Stimme. Ich hab immer mega Gänsehaut. All eure Songs geben mir soviel Kraft, dafür danke ich euch von Herzen.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Cheyenne N.

  Willemstad, Netherlands

  What burned

  My grandmother has dementia. She is still here, but in a way she isn't. Her personality has changed drastically and I don't recognize her as my grandmother anymore. My grandmother was the sweetest woman in the world. Losing her little by little has hurt our whole family a lot. My mother still visits her twice a week in the care home where she lives now. Sometimes I can't bring myself to go along because I find it hard to see her like this. I feel guilty about that.

  What glows

  Sometimes Grandma has good moments. There are fewer and fewer of them, but now and then my real grandma still shines through the dementia. She adores my son, whom she still recognizes. Her face lights up when she sees him, and my son loves his great-grandma. He doesn't know her any other way than with the dementia, and he loves her even though she has bad moments now and then. We hold on to the good moments, and the memories, nobody can take those from us, not even the dementia.

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  What burned (original)

  Mijn oma heeft dementie. Ze is er nog maar eigenlijk is ze er ook niet. Haar persoonlijkheid is drastisch verandert en ik herken haar niet meer als mijn oma. Mijn oma was de liefste vrouw ter wereld. Haar beetje bij beetje kwijtraken deed ons hele gezin heel veel pijn. Mijn moeder bezoekt haar nog steeds 2x per week in het verzorgingstehuis waar ze nu zit. Af en toe kan ik het niet opbrengen om mee te gaan omdat ik het moeilijk vind om haar zo te zien. Daar voel ik me schuldig over.

  What glows (original)

  Soms heeft oma goede momenten. Het worden er steeds minder maar af en toe schijnt mijn echte oma nog door de dementie heen. Ze is dol op mijn zoon die ze nog steeds herkent. Haar gezicht licht op als ze hem ziet en mijn zoon is dol op zijn overgroot oma. Hij kent haar niet anders dan met de dementie en hij houd van haar ondanks dat ze af en toe slechte momenten heeft. We houden ons vast aan de goede momenten en de herinneringen die pakt niemand, zelfs de dementie niet, ons af.

  Track

  Sing Like A Siren

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• Luiz L.

  Natal, RN, Brazil · Instagram: luizloup (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Hello! I'm Luiz Loup. I am from Brazil. I had serious issues with my appearance because I was bullied as a child. When I discovered the band Within Temptation (during the Mother Earth era), I was still a teenager.

  What glows

  Music gave me the courage to move forward, and I started taking better care of myself, becoming a handsome man who is happy with my appearance. And my cats bring me joy and harmony in life. I love cats and I also help other cats that are on the streets. I give them food and fresh water. This gives me a will to live.

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Kirsty W.

  Malvern, United Kingdom · Instagram: Mostlovedsnowdropwise (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  My Father was murdered by a stranger. No answers, no reason, no justice.

  What glows

  Knowing im still here to show the strength I was raised with and the resilience and fight that still burns deep.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Ylva D.

  Sundsvall, Sweden

  What burned

  I went through a depression and I am still not well.

  What glows

  Music and my family gave me strength, and they are the reason I am still here today.

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  What burned (original)

  Jag gick igenom en depression och är fortfarande inte frisk.

  What glows (original)

  Musik och min familj gav mig styrka och dom är orsaken till att jag fortfarande är här idag.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• João Pedro R.

  Oeiras, Portugal · Facebook: jopedrocha (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  My greatest loss, and the one that saddened me the most, was the death of my father from cancer. He was always there for me in his own way, never failing to offer support and praise my achievements.

  What glows

  My greatest joy is undoubtedly my son, who every day makes me strive to be better and improve my life. For me, the song Memories is always our anthem, because my son was born to the sound of this song.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Yareli R.

  Guadalajara, Mexico · Instagram: yareliriveit (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I have hypothyroidism and obesity, I haven't been able to lose weight, and my ex-boyfriend broke my heart by cheating on me and infecting me with something horrible for my health. I have gone to therapy, with my therapist and endocrinologist to get better, but the pills don't help me. I also write, and I think I have gotten worse; I feel I will never be a recognized writer. Every day I feel emptier, I feel alone, and I cry at least once a day. I feel the solution is to leave this world, but I know that is not the way.

  What glows

  My family gives me strength, even though they don't know how to treat me, and they try; the few readers I still have and all the ideas I have in my head; my close friends; my psychologist and doctors; my university professors; and music. I love listening to music, I love dancing to it and singing it. I get lost in entire worlds imagining new stories.

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  What burned (original)

  Tengo hipotiroidismo y obesidad, no he podido bajar de peso y mi ex novio me destrozo el corazón al engañarme y contagiarme algo horrible para mí salud. He asistido a terapia, con mi variatra y endocrinólogo para mejorar empero las pastillas no me sirven. También escribo y pienso que he empeorado, siento que no lograre ser una escritora reconocida. Cada día me siento más vacía, me siento sola y lloro al menos una vez al día. Siento que la solución es irme de este mundo, pero sé que no es así.

  What glows (original)

  Me da fuerza mi familia, que aunque no sabe cómo tratarme, lo intentan; los pocos lectores que me quedan y todas las ideas que tengo en la cabeza; mis amistades cercanas; mi psicóloga y doctores; mis profesores de la universidad; y la música. Amo escuchar música, amo bailarla y cantarla. Me pierdo en mundo enteros imaginando nuevas historias.

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Aiden R.

  Athens, Greece · Instagram: aideniverse (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Still burning... My inability to connect with people. Am I a burden? Are they even listening? Will I be loved, will I be needed by someone someday? Why have I been always like this? When does it stop? Easy to leave, easier to forget...

  What glows

  Music. It will always be Music... Where you can dream, where no one can hurt you...

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• Elias K.

  Rauma, Finland

  What burned

  When I was 20, my mother died suddenly, and because of it I sank into deep depression. My mother was my best friend, who supported me in many things.

  What glows

  But what has kept me going in life is music, my father, my brother and my friends. Without them and music, I wouldn't be here.

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  What burned (original)

  Kun olin 20-vuotias, äitini kuoli yllättäen, sen takia vaivuin syvään masennukseen. Äitini oli minun paras ystävä, joka tuki minua monessa asiassa.

  What glows (original)

  Mutta se, mikä on saanut minut jatkamaan elämässä, on musiikki, isäni, veljeni ja ystäväni. Ilman heitä ja musiikkia en olisi täällä.

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• Jens M.

  Bad Dürkheim, Germany

  What burned

  At age of 18 i lost my mother and it still tortures me more than 18 years later

  What glows

  I found a wife that shares all the good and bad things without saying, she wants to leave me, even if I have a bad day and beeing an asshole. She knows, that I don't mean it

  1 kudo

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• Tammi M.

  Johannesburg, South Africa

  What burned

  I have struggled with imposter syndrome my whole life and have had a fear of being seen. I feel like I have lost many years to depression, anxiety and chasing other people when I should have been chasing my own dreams.

  What glows

  I believe the experiences I have had have now enabled me to share my story and help others that may be going through something similar. We have good days and bad days. And just okay the music even louder on the bad days. ☀️

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Elanta S.

  Madrid, Spain

  What burned

  The idea I had of my family and of myself completely fell apart when I was 23 years old. Even now, years later, I still struggle with the mental aftereffects of that time. That's why I cried like never before when I heard your "Whole World Is Watching."

  What glows

  My friends and my husband, who have always been there even when I hit rock bottom.

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  What burned (original)

  La idea que tenía de mi familia y de mí misma se vino completamente abajo cuando tenía 23 años. Incluso ahora, años después, todavía sigo peleando con las secuelas mentales de esa época. Por eso lloré como nunca cuando escuché vuestro "Whole World Is Watching"

  What glows (original)

  Mis amigos y mi marido, que siempre han estado incluso cuando he tocado fondo.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Tempestās D.

  Lansing, United States · Instagram: Stormwytch79 (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I spent 30 years living half a life. I was too afraid to be fully me, afraid I’d lose everyone if they knew the real me…my shadows. I allowed storms to batter me and pain to sink in deeply rather than fighting back and learning to love myself fully.

  What glows

  I finally embraced myself fully 3 years ago with the help of my wife and music. My wife is my biggest support system and singing has given me the creative outlet. Within Temptation’s “Whole World is Watching” became a theme song for me as I learned to rise.

  Track

  The Reckoning

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• Melvin C.

  Montpellier, France · X: MissYunalesca_ (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  I lost my father on my birthday in 2024, on Father's Day. He was the same age as Sharon. It was a hard ordeal for me to get through.

  What glows

  I was lucky enough to meet the band members in November 2024 for their Bleed Out tour, on what would have been my father's 50th birthday. So I thanked each member for accompanying me through their music for so many years. I say it again here too: Thank you for everything. Your music saved me from the darkness, more than once.

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  What burned (original)

  J'ai perdu mon père le jour de mon anniversaire en 2024, le jour de la fête des pères. Il avait le même âge que Sharon. C'était une dure épreuve à surmonter pour moi.

  What glows (original)

  J'ai eu la chance de rencontrer les membres du groupe en Novembre 2024 pour leur tournée Bleed Out tour, le jour de l'anniversaire des 50 ans de mon père. Alors j'ai remercié chaque membre pour m'avoir accompagné à travers leurs musiques depuis tant d'années. Je le redis ici aussi : Merci pour tout. Vos musiques m'ont sauvé de l'obscurité, plus d'une fois.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Shelley B.

  Asheville, United States · Instagram: shellreadsbooks (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  In the early 2000s, I was finding my 16-year-old self through a lot of family drama in addition to the struggles of school.

  What glows

  The Silent Force and The Unforgiving albums opened my eyes that there was a whole world out there waiting for me. It was ok to question things I had been taught and I started standing up for myself. Specifically, The Truth Beneath the Rose really hit home for me at the time. I will always hold WT in my heart for that.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Suzanne B.

  Tilburg, Netherlands

  What burned

  3 years ago my nephew died, my sister's first little child, from an unknown illness. A month later I got a bad result at the hospital, which led to an anxiety disorder that took over my life. I fought my way out of it and started a new chapter: having a baby with my partner, which has always been my biggest wish. This took a very long time to happen. When I look back on that time, I only now see how hard it was.

  What glows

  I am now 21 weeks pregnant! I also really enjoy my niece, who was born healthy a few months ago. There is light at the end of the tunnel. We always carry with us what we go through, but I now decide for myself whether it takes the upper hand or not.

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  What burned (original)

  3 jaar terug is mijn neefje overleden, het eerste kindje van mijn zus, aan een onbekende ziekte. Een maand daarna kreeg ik een slechte uitslag in het ziekenhuis met als gevolg een angststoornis die mijn leven overnam. Ik vocht mezelf eruit en begon aan een nieuw hoofdstuk: een kindje krijgen met mijn partner, wat altijd mijn grootste wens is geweest. Dit liet alleen heel lang op zich wachten. Als ik terugkijk op die tijd zie ik pas hoe zwaar het is geweest.

  What glows (original)

  Inmiddels ben ik 21 weken zwanger! Ook geniet ik enorm van mijn nichtje die een paar maanden terug gezond is geboren. Er is licht aan het einde van de tunnel. Wat we meemaken dragen we altijd bij ons, maar ik beslis nu zelf of het de overhand neemt of niet.

  Track

  Ritual

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• Areka W.

  Singapore, Singapore

  What burned

  living in an abusive environment my whole life made me a miserable person.

  What glows

  turns out I have mental health problems because of what I went through and I have to relearn that as the truth and that it's not my fault for what I went through and I can heal in my own way and time. I don't need to rush my healing and that healing comes in waves. I have friends and a lovely partner who supports me wholeheartedly and I will always be thankful for them.

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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• Matt M.

  West sussex, United Kingdom · Facebook: Mattmorrison (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  Coming to terms with my sexuality was hard especially at school. Feeling lost and alone when I couldn't be who I truly was.

  What glows

  Coming out and telling people about me being gay had really helped me and now I have made so many friends and feel love and happiness.

  Track

  Don't Pray for Me

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• Anne V.

  Nijmegen, Netherlands

  What burned

  11 years ago I lost my dad and a part of myself because of it.

  What glows

  He introduced me to within temptation when I was 4. The mother earth Cd got stuck in his work car so for years we enjoyed the music together every time he picked me up. He made me a fan and it still feels like something we share.

  Track

  Ice Queen

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• Jose Maria C.

  Santiago, Chile · Instagram: Anisatmoon (opens in a new tab)

  What burned

  The loss of my best friend and brother after having struggled so hard for his recovery, and not having been able to get him out of the country where we grew up so he could live a different story.

  What glows

  What I am, who supports me, and the recognition I receive from those who love me.

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  What burned (original)

  La perdida de mi mejor amigo y hermano después de haber batallado para lograr su recuperación y no haber podido sacarlo del país donde crecimos y que pudiera vivir una historia diferente

  What glows (original)

  Lo que soy, quien me apoya y el reconocimiento que recibo de quienes me aman

  Track

  Raise Your Banner

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