Breaking the Chains: Turning Pain into Purpose
- Jenny Westbrook
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
04/01/2025
I’ve spent most of my life running from the very things that haunted me…my fears, insecurities, and the deep-rooted need to fit in. For years, I struggled with people-pleasing tendencies, trauma responses, and an overwhelming desire to be accepted. Deep down, I wrestled with self-esteem issues, never feeling like I belonged but always trying. Negative self-talk was my constant companion, always telling me I wasn’t good enough on repeat. But today, I’m ready to share how I’ve turned all of that around, starting from the very
beginning.
It all started with childhood conditioning that shaped who I became. I had no idea how much of a prisoner I was to my past, why I felt the way I did. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve felt that way too.
What I didn’t understand back then, but I see now, is that trauma, the pain and challenges we face can control our every move. Society teaches us to keep our struggles hidden, and the shame we carry often leads us to believe we’re broken. We’re told to stay silent about our pain, thinking that sharing it makes us weak. But as I have been healing and have reflected, I discovered something powerful: those painful experiences, the fears, the shame, the self-doubt can become your superpowers.
When you can accept your life, your experiences, and your feelings, and begin the healing process, that’s when your true power comes alive. That’s when you can become the person you were always meant to be. The person you were before someone told you who to be, or convinced you that something about you wasn’t “right.” Your pain doesn’t have to be a burden you carry as a weight. You don’t have to feel ashamed of it. It can be transformed into purpose and help you grow in ways you never knew was possible.
GET YOUR FREE CARDS HERE!!!
Load these in your cart and check out with no charge! You will be able to download these empowering affirmation cards to help kickstart your own healing journey. Each card is designed to inspire positivity, mindfulness, and self-love. Use them daily to shift your mindset, embrace growth, and fill your life with kindness. This is your first step to transformation—one polkadot at a time!
The Hard Path to Healing
It hasn’t been an easy road to get here. In fact, it’s taken me my entire life to reach this point of understanding. But now, I see how deeply my trauma has shaped nearly every decision I’ve made in my life. Each choice I made seemed to create more trauma, only multiplying my pain. I couldn’t see the patterns, the cycles, the way trauma followed me around like a shadow. I stuffed it all down, thinking it was behind me, but it never truly left.
From relationships I held on to too long, to moments of indecision that cost me dearly, to how I viewed myself, fear, shame, and low self-esteem were my best friends and were always with me. Add to that my need to please others, and it was a recipe for never ending self-doubt. Negative self-talk played on an endless loop, telling me how worthless, stupid, ugly, fat and “not enough” I was. I believed these lies for so long, convinced that I would never measure up to any of the people around me, that I would never be “normal” like everyone else.
It wasn’t until one day, I realized I had a choice. I could continue repeating these painful patterns, or I could choose to heal and try to change things
I had no idea that healing was even possible until I started listening to others share their stories. Their journeys inspired me to take steps towards my own healing. I decided I didn’t want to carry this burden any longer. I wanted to find a way out. And that’s when my healing journey truly began and why I am called to begin to share my own story.
Understanding the Power of Processing
I’ve learned that when we don’t take the time to face our trauma, it continues to control us from the shadows. It shapes our decisions, influences our relationships, and distorts how we see ourselves. But when you stop, reflect, and accept those experiences for what they are, you begin to understand your trauma responses and the patterns you’ve developed because of them. And that’s when healing can begin.
When you finally face your past, you can start breaking free from the chains that have held you back. Your inner critic, that voice that constantly tells you you’re not enough, can be silenced. I’m breaking my chains and my silence because I’ve realized on my journey that my purpose is to help others along their healing journeys too.
Thank you for being here, walking alongside me on my journey. I hope that by sharing my story, you’ll be able to recognize the patterns in your own life and can begin your own journey as well. That awareness is the first step towards healing, and together, we can break free once and for all.
The Power of Polkadots: Small Steps, Big Impact
One of the most important parts of my healing journey has been the creation of the concept of "polkadots"—a symbol I use to represent the small, powerful steps toward healing, finding gratitude, joy, peace, love, and forgiveness. These polkadots are a reminder that the path to healing doesn’t have to be an overwhelming leap all at once. It’s the everyday moments, the small acts of self-compassion, and the courage to face your deepest fears that, step by step, build the strength to rise above.
Just like polkadots come together to form a larger picture, the changes we make in our lives can create something beautiful and whole by connecting all the little dots. I first started embracing this concept in my own healing, but it eventually led me to something deeper—writing children’s books. During my journey, I found that storytelling and creating characters who navigate their own struggles of self-acceptance became a healing tool for me. You can check out my books at Polkadot Pickle Books | Clockworks| Polkadot
Through my books, I wanted to show children that their struggles are part of their unique story, that it's okay to not be perfect, and that they are enough just as they are. These books became more than just stories...they became part of my own healing process, helping me to embrace the lessons I had learned and share them with the next generation. There are lots more written too that are works in progress so keep checking back!
When I think about polkadots, I also think about the importance of each small step in our personal journey—just as I did in my writing. Each polkadot is a moment of growth, and through these tiny steps, we begin to heal, rise, and help others along the way.
That’s how we break the cycles, one polkadot at a time, one step forward, and together, we can heal and grow.
A FREE gift of Polkadots just for you!!!
Load these in your cart and check out with no charge! You will be able to download these empowering affirmation cards to help kickstart your own healing journey. Each card is designed to inspire positivity, mindfulness, and self-love. Use them daily to shift your mindset, embrace growth, and fill your life with kindness. This is your first step to transformation—one polkadot at a time!
Final Thoughts
I’m so grateful that you’re here, reading my words and joining me on this journey. I hope as I begin to share my stories, my experiences and the lessons I have learned along my personal journey that it will help you to recognize your own patterns and that this blog will begin to inspire your healing process as well. The road to healing isn’t easy, but it’s worth every step of the way. We don’t have to carry our pain alone—we can heal together.
Let’s keep sharing, supporting, and growing. Together, we can make a difference in each other’s lives. Together, we can change the world together one polkadot at a time!
Call to Action
Please leave a comment to let me know you were here! I’d love to hear your thoughts and it truly helps me to keep sharing.
Are you on a healing journey of your own? Are you ready to begin your own journey?
Have you recognized any patterns from your past that you’re ready to break free from?
Drop a comment below or connect with me on social media—I would love to help you in any way I can.
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Each week I will share another story along with the lessons learned and tips and tools that you can use on your own journey. I truly hope they help to make a difference in your life and on your path. Remember the healing path is a journey not a destination but it is a path you will never regret taking!
Enjoy the Journey and always remember to spread Polkadots wherever you go!
Love, Light and Polkadots!
Jenny
If you have a child, or someone special in your life, this book about mindfulness and gratitude will be a perfect guide. It helps children embrace happiness, practice mindfulness, and cultivate gratitude, all while finding joy in the present moment. Perfect for nurturing a positive mindset and emotional growth, this book will inspire them to start their own journey of mindfulness, right where they are.
Love this!!