by Jennifer Jaskal
Rebuilding life after trauma is a journey I know well. I’m often asked how I managed to recreate my life after facing so many life-altering challenges. My response is always the same: it’s not easy, but with faith, commitment, perseverance, and the right mindset, it is possible to unapologetically create a life you desire.
Like many, I’ve faced traumas that have deeply impacted me, from childhood assault and bullying to divorce, surviving abuse, bankruptcy, and layoffs. Each of these experiences could have left me broken. But each time, I had a choice—let trauma define my future or rebuild life on my terms.
Trauma affects everyone differently, and how we cope, heal, and move on varies greatly. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to healing. Trauma is any experience that overwhelms our ability to cope, and each person’s healing journey is unique. What matters most is choosing how it will impact your life and finding a path forward.
My desire to create a loving, joyful home for my children pushed me to confront my past and make changes. I realized to create the life I envisioned, I’d need to start by looking inward. There came a moment when I looked in the mirror and I chose to take control. This realization marked the beginning of my journey to reclaim my voice, my power, and my purpose.
For years, I carried pain and resentment, feeling trapped by life’s challenges. But I eventually found the courage to seek help, build my faith in God, face my trauma, and work through PTSD. Opening up and engaging in therapy allowed me to begin healing. Alongside professional help, I immersed myself in personal growth—faith, reading, meditation, journaling, and other practices that brought me closer to becoming the best version of myself.
This journey hasn’t been easy. Taking that first step—acknowledging the need for change—was the hardest. But each step brought me closer to the life I wanted to build. Over time, I developed tools, techniques, and habits that helped me stay grounded, even during life’s most challenging times.
In September 2021, my daughter was in a severe motorcycle accident, suffering injuries so serious we didn’t know if she’d keep her foot. The call from my ex-husband telling me she was hurt changed our lives in an instant. She was airlifted to Boston for surgeries that pushed our family to the brink.
Though terrified, I knew I could face this trauma with a strength I hadn’t had in the past. I drew on everything I’d learned to stay strong for my daughter, my son, our family, and myself. I reached out for support, leaned on family and friends, spent time with God, and used the self-care and spiritual practices I had cultivated to guide us through this difficult time. Her recovery has been remarkable, and today, she’s back to running, playing volleyball, and enjoying life.
Now, as I work from my home—one I purchased on my own five years ago—I am thankful for the strength that has brought me here. My life is rich with faith, love, laughter, endless memories, and I look forward to the future we’re building.
If you’re ready to take that first step, I encourage you to start today. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. If you need support, reach out through my website, jenniferjaskal.com, or email me at info@jenniferjaskal.com. I’m here to help, and I believe you, too, can create the life you desire.
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