Surviving as a Puppet

I'm known as a fan-fiction writer, but this story isn't fiction.

It's real and it's mine.

I didn't plan to share this, but something in me needed to - in hopes of inspiring others who may feel like puppets, too.

This is a story of how I confronted generational trauma and the weight of toxic Filipino family culture - and slowly reclaimed control of my life. It's also about learning to survive on my own, after spending years with strings tied to my hands and feet, pulled by everyone but me.

If you're still learning how to cut your strings, this is for you.

I hope these pages remind you:
You are not ungrateful for setting your boundaries.
You are not selfish for saying no.
You are not disrespectful for acknowledging of a toxic behavior.
And you deserve a life that's truly yours.

At the end of this book, I hope you stop "surviving as a puppet" and to truly start "living."

Disclaimer: This story is based solely on my personal experiences. I'm not a licensed therapist or psychologist - just someone who's been through it, still healing, and learning to live freely.