Naomi and the crown of thorns

“I’ve always been a wild child since crossing through the portal onto this giant rock, diving into the human experience. From a young age, I felt everything deeply—in awe of the leaves on trees, the tiny ants tiptoeing across them, and the complex web of love and pain within me. Love has always been my gift, but with it comes a hefty dose of heartbreak. It’s a blessing and a curse, making me vulnerable and raw.

As I inch toward 29 laps around the sun, my journey has been filled with moments of pure joy and devastating heartache. Childhood trauma stole my innocence, forcing me to grow up much too fast. I soon fell into a passionate, yet destructive, affair with drugs and alcohol, from my preteens into adulthood—an ongoing struggle.

Creativity and passion have always defined me. I started as a chef, helping my dad with catering, then working at a fish and chip shop at 16, and completing my apprenticeship by 21. The kitchen made me feel alive, like I belonged somewhere. For the first time, I allowed myself a flicker of pride, pushing toward my goals with relentless determination. I believed I was in control, but in reality, I was battling my ego.

The industry’s stress, long hours, and external chaos pushed me deeper into addiction. I worked insane shifts, then spiraled into alcohol, cigarettes, and eventually harder substances—covering it all with a careful illusion of being fine. But the inevitable crash came. A traumatic incident pushed me to the edge, and I lost everything—my career, home, money, health, and sanity. I pushed away those who cared, convincing myself everyone was against me, living on a cocktail of uppers and downers.

Sometimes, it takes hitting rock bottom to climb back up. I consider myself lucky to have escaped that abyss. I worked hard to rebuild my life, moving away, finding a new job, and staying mostly sober—despite a few setbacks. Then I met my prince charming, who I idolized. But he was also battling addiction, and once again, I found myself on the rollercoaster. This time, I wanted more.

Fate had other plans—after five months of sobriety, I fell pregnant with our beautiful son. He truly saved me. His arrival reminded me what life is all about. I now focus on replacing old habits with healthy ones, transforming negative patterns into positivity. My goal is to be the best mother I can be, because my son deserves a healed, whole version of me.
Facing our shadows isn’t easy, but I believe our children deserve the most healed versions of ourselves. Letting go of shame—so ingrained in addiction—is a daily battle. The cravings never truly vanish; you learn to manage them, taking life one day at a time. I’ve realized I was living in fear and hiding from myself and others. But now, I’m stepping into my power, embracing my purpose. I refuse to be a victim of life—I am here to live it.
To anyone fighting the same battle: don’t give up. You’ve got this.❤️”