4 Inspiring Stories Of Strong Women Who Overcame Themselves

A few weeks ago, I reached out to my community and asked women to share their inspiring stories of growth, healing, and courage. 

Four amazing and strong women came forth to offer their experiences and shared what they’ve been through and how they overcame adversity. Their inspiring stories demonstrate that no matter where you are, how old you are, or what you face, you can overcome your old self and heal powerfully. 

These inspiring stories are far from perfect. They are unique, authentic, and raw – maybe situations you may find yourself in right now.  

You’ll read inspiring stories about divorce, challenging new beginnings, healing your inner child, overcoming fear of the unknown, how to process difficult emotions, setting boundaries, and more. 

I hope these inspiring stories will serve as proof that no matter what you are facing, you can overcome it and come out of it stronger than you thought possible.  

4 Strong women and their inspiring stories 

Janka’s Inspiring Story about regulating emotions, childhood and why she decided to stop being a “good girl”

“After my children were born, my view of life changed. I noticed very early on that when they challenged me, I reacted with anger and frustration. Later, after I calmed down, I always regretted how I behaved, which brought immense guilt. These situations prompted me to look within and understand that I had no idea who I was, let alone how to deal with my emotions. 

Therefore, I decided to get help and start my coaching with Silvia. Since I have never done any healing work, it all felt unknown and intimidating. Eventually, I was able to open up and had profound insights regarding my past and my childhood, which was affected by a family member who was battling substance abuse.

I began to see the clues of how all this played out in my current life with my children, as well as my intimate relationship and a new job I took on after 7 years of being on maternity leave.  

Since growing up, I was told to be the “good girl.” Therefore, I had no idea how to work with what I felt except to deny it and push it away. As I worked through my healing, I began to understand how much of my life is directed by always striving to be this good girl who doesn’t upset anyone and never complains.

Although my “good girl” syndrome still shows up, now I recognize it and don’t allow it to control me as much. Because I am allowing myself to process what I feel, I am more patient with my children while being aware of my emotional state without reacting.

Although I am nowhere near the end of my healing, I am immensely grateful for my strength and courage to walk this path because, with every new insight and understanding, I feel more free.” 

Louisa’s inspiring story about healing her inner child

When I first connected with Silvia for our session, I thought I couldn’t do it because it would be too difficult/awkward/confronting, etc. The idea of arranging a face-to-face video call with someone I hadn’t met before on the other side of the world seemed like a fantasy. 

But the idea grew and eventually became a reality. 

I had ideas of all sorts of things I wanted to talk about, but when the morning of the call came around, none seemed important. I felt I didn’t know what to ask.  

We very quickly got down to some big topics that I wasn’t consciously aware of wanting to discuss. 

I had an absolutely mind-blowing, and truly life-altering moment that morning when I was introduced to the concept of nurturing/caring/protecting/loving “Little Louisa”. I was previously aware of “inner child work” but I had never found a way to apply it to my own life. 

The moment I acknowledged and looked at Little Louisa, many things fell into place. I had a few different unrelated things/issues smoldering along in the background, that I was doing all I thought I could to “let go of” and “forgive” to no avail. 

I suddenly saw that neglected Little Louisa was the common denominator in my seemingly unrelated problems.

I didn’t have to forgive, let go, or work on the problems – I had to take care of Little Louisa. To get in touch with her and keep her safe. When little Louisa felt safe, none of my issues were problems anymore. All of the hurt, pain, and worry could actually be related back many years to my young childhood. 

The problems I had perceived as relating to events and people in my adult life had nothing to do with events in my adult life, they just reactivated familiar feelings of hurt, betrayal, or fear from many years ago. 

Since then, I have learned strategies and meditation to practice to help Little Louisa grow & feel strong and safe. I’m still doing this meditation now months later, and I am often able to identify where feelings actually come from rather than projecting them out into the world. I could never relate to my feelings in such a way so seeing myself doing it now, still amazes me. 

I’m so grateful I began to do this work and care for my inner child the way I never knew possible”

Judy’s inspiring story about a divorce, healing and rising up

“In less than 4 years I survived a brutally painful and unexpected divorce and financial ruin at 59, lived in a basement suite, then bought my very first own home in 2022. It seemed my ex took EVERYTHING from me at that point. But he didn’t. He did not, nor could possibly take the “me of me”, and that has value. 

In the first few months of my sudden new life, I found an online course that set the direction for my healing. It was one of those “no candy-coated BS” approaches that I so desperately needed since I had no interest in pretending or coloring things just to feel better. I needed to face the truth to overcome all this.

My coping choices were not exactly the healthiest at the start. But that didn’t matter. In the same way, I learned, on my own, how to fix my newly bought home, I could also learn how to heal myself. Here is what I learned from this journey so far: the details or what happened to me doesn’t matter, but my healing does. There is hope and a way through anything.” 

Jennifer’s inspiring story about breaking free from fear, setting boundaries and living with courage

I was an extremely shy child, and though I pushed myself to achieve (ultimately getting an M.A. and employment), it was without the slightest self-esteem or sense of security; I felt like a child inside an adult’s body, unable to truly function well in the world, unable to even come close to reaching the potential of my innate high intelligence and creativity. I was full of FEAR.

For decades, I was in survival mode – perpetually stressed and suffering. I wasn’t unaware of this – I knew I was a “sick puppy” – and tried very hard to find peace. But it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I made a momentous decision and realized I had finally lost that fear. (And I am about to turn 63.)

So, how did this change occur? History: I’ve had a problematic roommate for over five years who I’ve come an inch away from kicking out multiple times, but I was weak and fearful – got talked out of it: “The chances that you’ll find another roommate who’ll be a friend is slim to none,” “Do you know how hard it is to get rid of someone once they’ve moved in?” “You’ll work it out, it’s just temporary,” “Remember how lonely you were before you and X moved in together?” 

All these “friendly” words of advice wore down my anger and determination every time X screamed, called me names, and accused me of things I hadn’t done. Furthermore, when you’ve borne relentless loneliness, and you fear that you won’t be able to care for yourself due to a year of illness, clarity of mind tends to dissolve.

But I had come to better understand my past and accept the possibility of a new positive future. I had been gaining insight into how X’s toxic behavior was deflating the very things I was fighting to acquire: self-respect, self-confidence, and most of all self-love. So, a few months ago, I told X to leave. Magically, things improved to the point where I thought enough of a change had occurred so that allowing X to stay longer would be okay.

Then, one morning, X woke me up screaming and swearing just as before. This time, though, I yelled back, “You’re out! One month, and you’re gone!”

There was no fear of being alone for a while if that’s what it took to find a good roommate. There was no fear of not being able to care for myself; I knew whatever help I needed, I would get. I knew that the most crucial thing was to end my constant exposure to X who had been harming me much, much more than ever helping me.

I realize that despite all the pain in my life, I functioned and achieved and survived. Now I feel strong, am pursuing my passion, and am even considering traveling!

Each of us is on our own individual journey, always doing the best we can on the way. Sometimes, lessons take a long time to learn but never give up on yourself. There is always hope, always an opportunity to grow.

What story did you find yourself in?  Or, what is your story? I’d love to know. Feel free to leave a comment below.