by Agata Okon

TW: Sexual assault; depression

It can be therapeutic and has helped me in ways that I never expected. It has given me the courage to face my self-doubt and fears head-on and allowed me to find inner peace. 

When I was raped, despair consumed me. It felt like my world was ending and I should disappear. The profound sense of loneliness weighed heavily on me, but reading the stories of other people who had been through similar experiences gave me a glimmer of hope. Knowing that there were others out there who understood what I was going through brought me some comfort, and I realized that I wasn’t alone. I wanted to share my story with the hope of reaching another girl like me, someone who needed to know they weren’t by themselves in this pain. Writing has enabled me to create something tangible out of all my experiences, which serves as a reminder that even though life can be difficult at times, there’s always a silver lining. That’s one of the reasons I decided to share my poetry collection “Finding My Voice Again.”

Writing has enabled me to create something tangible out of all my experiences, which serves as a reminder that even though life can be difficult at times, there’s always a silver lining.

I reached out to the author of “Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf” on social media, a book that had made a deep impression on me. She encouraged me to keep writing, saying it was an excellent way of self-healing — something I wholeheartedly agreed with. I found solace in writing and it was my voice when I was voiceless, so I want to encourage everyone who is on the road to healing to try some form of writing. It does not have to be a long-term commitment; it can be a poem, a story, journaling — anything that lets you express yourself without any judgement or pressure. 

Just recently my favorite musician, NF, released a new album that is quite distinct from his past works. Titled “HOPE,” it seems to have been released at the perfect time for me. It’s the first time in my life when I am finally feeling hopeful after everything that happened to me. I surround myself with inspiring people who push me forward and believe in me and my success.

Here is the link to my book “Finding My Voice Again.” 

Find updates for any new books I have published and view my book recommendations on my website. 

Agata is originally from Poland but currently living in Malta, where she is pursuing a degree in criminology and working at a bookshop. Along with her academic and professional endeavors, she nurtures her creative side through writing and reading, and is currently working on her second poetry book titled “Shadows of My Mind.” When she’s not engrossed in books or penning her thoughts, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite TV series. Aside from her passion for entertainment, she has a strong desire to learn new skills and expand her knowledge. Lately, she’s been teaching herself to develop her own website and online shop, with the goal of launching it soon.

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