Every ember is someone who made it through. This is the text-only version of the interactive experience: read stories from people around the world, give kudos, or add your own.
433 stories from 52 countries, 1971 kudos given in total.
I've been chronic ill (ME) since 2009 and it's so hard. It made me having to quit my job. Me (ano others with ME) gets jugde for not working and people think we're lazy. It's so far from the truth. No one wants to be a prisoner in your own body, in your home voluntary. I get that it's hard to understand, I just wish people would ask than just assume you're lazy and doesn't want to participate in society. There is no cure for ME. I Hope some day it will be.
What glows
My kids have helped me more than they will ever know. Even though I've been sick most of their lives, they have given me the strenght to never give up.
I sacrificed myself to support my family. It sounds selfish, but I did and still do. I'll do anything for them! My dog Elly has lung cancer and there's no treatment or cure.
What glows
I am grateful for the life partner I have and for becoming stronger every day! I'm a Witch 🖤✨🌔
I have gone through, abuse, divorce, mental health and losses. But my hardest ordeal that is a raging fire, is ongoing.
Half a year ago my wife died suddenly. She was younger than me so I should have gone first.
She was there one moment and then she was gone.
The fires burns all around and I am stumbling forward, blinded by smoke and seared by the flames. The deep love we had are now claws gauging my heart.
What glows
The love we shared, that which tears me apart, also give me strength. Because I know that she is there still, waiting for the time we meet again.
She helped me become a better version of myself and she still helps me find my way through the flames.
For the very flames that burns me also guide me through the smoke and ash.
I have learned that there is love that truly never die. One day we will meet again. Until then, her flames that scorches me also light my way forward.
Track
Ice Queen
Raven ..
Near Mannheim, Germany
What burned
This year I started getting pretty bad health issues out of nowhere. No doctor could figure out what's wrong yet. The next special clinic appointment which could possibly help figure things out is in March next year and until then I am not really able to work since I can barely move without being in pain most of the time.
What glows
What really helped me this year were my amazing friends. Sometimes when I have a good health day i'm even able to play the guitar again which is my absolute favorite thing to do. In the beginning of this year I was able to see some of my absolute favorite bands live and thinking about that gives me so much hope to some day stand in the middle of a moshpit again.
Last year was hard! My girlfriend got sick, my mother got dementia, my mother-in-law passed away, and I myself had a burn-out. Life was just day by day.
What glows
I'm really happy at home, my relationship is just very good, so that's positive! Making music is going well, I'm working in the symphonic metal genre myself, and something might be released soon!
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Willem S.
What burned (original)
Afgelopen jaar was zwaar! Mijn vriendin werd ziek, mijn moeder kreeg dementie, mijn schoonmoeder is overleden en ik heb zelf een burn-out gehad. Het leven was gewoon van dag tot dag.
What glows (original)
Ik heb het enorm naar mijn zin thuis, mijn relatie is gewoon heel goed dus dat is positief! Het maken van muziek gaat goed, ik ben zelf bezig in het symphonic metal genre, binnenkort kan er wat uitgebracht worden!
Track
Ice Queen
Bill W.
Williamsburg, Williamsburgland, DR Congo
What burned
My aunt suddenly commiting suicide in November 2020 (that's why I chose The Purge, cause it was released right then and is rather fitting for the whole situation... even tho I still hate it... it brings back bad memories)... and us not being able to see it coming, even tho there were signs. Years of burnout, demotivation, unemployment and not ginving a fuck. Realizing that finishing my IT degree was waste of time and effort, cause I have no passion for it and not knowing what to do next.
What glows
The whole thing completely changed my view on life. It made me more grateful for what I have now, made me appreciate even the smallest things much more and not take anything for granted. I stopped being upset over unimportant things. I've also learnt to live more in the moment. It made the bond especially with mom so much stronger. I've also tried to learn from this and help other people, that might show any signs of things not being right. Thanks for doing this guys, it's really lovely :)
Track
The Purge
Julia W.
Silesia, Poland
What burned
The death of my former boyfriend. He died in a plane crash, we never had a chance to meet in real life because he lived in another country. On 15th Jan it will be the 4th anniversary of his passing
What glows
My passion for medicine (especially one part of it) & the fact that I can gain experience hands on in this special field even before finishing my degree
A toxic relationship in my youth left me with deep scars. I was manipulated, betrayed, cheated on & replaced.
Somehow my reaction was the thing that people focused on. Obviously I stood up for myself.
For years after everything went down, I have endured bullying, false rumours & judgment from people who don’t even know me. I’ve spent years trying to heal while carrying the weight of things I never deserved.
I was the one who got hurt, yet somehow became the villain in everyone else’s story.
What glows
Thankfully, I have some truly wonderful friends and a loving family by my side. They are people I can trust, who stand up for me and support me no matter what. They know I am not the person others have tried to portray me as. They know the truth. They know what I have been through, and they have stood by me through the darkest times. For that, I will always be grateful. 🩷
Track
Raise Your Banner
Vanessa P.
Neuwied, Germany
What burned
Last year my mother suffered a severe stroke, and at the same time my father was in the hospital for several months. Overnight I had two parents at home who needed care, and I had to look after them.
This led to an anxiety disorder - the fear of losing them and one day being alone.
What glows
Since then I spend my time with them more consciously. I listen to every story from their childhood, write down family recipes, and try to experience as many things with them as I can. At the same time, I can give back to them what they once did for me.
It has shown me what matters and how precious time is. I have learned not to always put everything off for later, but to live in the now.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Vanessa P.
What burned (original)
Letztes Jahr erlitt meine Mutter einen schweren Schlaganfall, gleichzeitig lag mein Vater mehrere Monate im Krankenhaus. Von jetzt auf gleich hatte ich zwei pflegebedürftige Eltern zu Hause, um die ich mich kümmern musste.
Dadurch hat sich eine Angststörung entwickelt - die Angst davor, sie zu verlieren und eines Tages allein zu sein.
What glows (original)
Seitdem verbringe ich die Zeit mit ihnen bewusster. Höre mir jede Geschichte aus ihrer Kindheit an, schreibe Familienrezepte auf und versuche mit ihnen so viele Dinge zu erleben. Gleichzeitig kann ich ihnen das zurückgeben, was sie früher für mich getan haben.
Es hat mir gezeigt, auf was es ankommt und wie kostbar Zeit ist. Ich habe gelernt nicht immer alles auf später zu schieben, sondern im Jetzt zu leben.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Marco V.
What burned (original)
Ich habe meinen besten Freund durch Suizid verloren
What glows (original)
Meine Freunde geben mir Kraft, genauso wie die Musik
Track
The Reckoning
Dani D.
Voitsberg, Austria
What burned
Due to my mental health struggles, I wasn't able to finish my studies back then. I was dealing with a lot of problems, had no friends, and drank a lot of alcohol.
What glows
I've resumed my studies and will finish my degree this year. I no longer drink alcohol, I'm in a stable relationship, and my mental health has also improved significantly.
Track
Ice Queen
Filipa O.
Almeirim, Portugal
What burned
Going through a divorce request when I wasn't expecting it, with the justification that there is no longer any feeling. I was in a 10-year relationship with someone I loved and with whom I have a daughter. The expectation of a family forever was shattered, and now I have a long healing process ahead of me, while I deal with grief, rejection and other insecurities.
What glows
I found strength where I thought it no longer existed, through self-love and my daughter, who is my treasure. I feel I deserve better and that I deserve to still be happy.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Filipa O.
What burned (original)
Estar a passar por um pedido de divórcio quando não esperava com a justificação de que já não há sentimento. Estava numa relação de 10 anos com alguém que amava e com quem tenho uma filha. A expectativa de uma família para sempre foi derrubada e agora tenho um longo processo de cura pela frente, enquanto lido com o luto, a rejeição e outras inseguranças.
What glows (original)
Encontrei força onde pensei que já não existia através do amor próprio e da minha filha que é o meu tesouro. Sinto que mereço melhor e que mereço ainda ser feliz.
Track
Don't Pray for Me
Yasmin B.
Oslo, Norway
What burned
I was a victim of domestic violence. I lost the custody of my son due to psychological issues and last year I’ve been diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (Covert- vulnerable type) and telling my family and friends was difficult because of the stigma and prejudice against it. I felt confused because I thought it meant I was an evil person and I hurt everyone around me.
What glows
It took time to understand that a diagnosis is not a life sentence and it doesn’t make me automatically an evil person. I have a wonderful husband that loves me and supports me. My faith helps me through it, also therapy has helped me to understand myself better and become a better person.
In 2020 i was in a very dark place. Even having the thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore. After life full of trauma In 2024 i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, i finally understood where mood swings and high lows came from. Still this day i’m trying to find a wat to live with it and understand my head
What glows
Honestly, myself. I kept trying to find reasons to stay and remind myself there is still that fire in my heart that deserves to burn. My friend and family have stood by this whole process and i’m so grateful. A year ago i found my man who takes me as i am
I'm still fighting my war. I changed my residency from Mexico to Czech Republic. I have faced a couple of racist attacks that affected me to the point of requiring psychological support. I was feeling ashamed of my skin color and to get out of my flat. I received support but my fight still keeps going. Some days are better than the others. The current politics in the world sometimes just make me worry about the future.
What glows
Despite the country and its people can be different from my perspective, I am learning to speak louder each time, to defend myself and to understand why other people can simply hate without hesitation. There is also good people here, I am learning to recognize them. There is a fire inside my soul originated from this pain and fears that is forging a stronger version of me. Though not easy, I am eager to give it all. One day people will be able to tolerate others. I would like to be part of it.
I was born and raised in the Mormon cult, married young, moved away from my support network and had children straight away. For over 10 years, my MIL covertly emotionally and mentally abused me, isolating me and turning others against me. My husband took years to recognise it. I developed severe anxiety, depression and CPTSD. We eventually left the cult, went no contact with MIL and worked to rebuild our marriage. Last year, I suffered a mental breakdown.
What glows
I healed so hard I lost 5 stone in weight, got heavily tattooed, denounced all religion and became a sovereign pagan witch, healing through riffs and finding joy and comfort in Authenticity no longer pleasing others, not afraid of the dark but choosing it. Empowered, sovereign and.... never again. Now life is on my terms and I live it loud and through loud music. Music is my medium to connect to myself and to the universe. WT Stand my Ground gave me strength to never give up x TY FORVER
This body is not mine, I am just here to live on for the girl who couldn't, so I'm telling her story. She died at 14 because noone cared. She was suffering, but felt like she couldn't trust anyone. It got so bad that she wanted to k!ll herself, and in the end, even though it wasn't initiated by her, that pain was what k!lled her.
What glows
I am here. I am living the life this girl never got. And I will embrace this, will embrace the memory of her. I now know that there are people I can trust.
The difficulty of starting over from zero, in a new country, facing loneliness, uncertainties and people who taught me so much, both for good and for bad.
The tears shed in silence, the battles I fought without witnesses and the days when I had to find strength to keep going.
A relationship that took me to the bottom of the well, where it was not love that held me, but the fear of not being able to start over alone. The sadness of looking at myself and not recognizing myself was horrible.
What glows
I chose to free myself, I faced the fear of starting over and I discovered that my greatest strength was the ability to choose myself again.
Today freedom, dreams, nature and an unexpected feeling shine, showing me that, after so many storms, life still holds beautiful, wonderful sunsets. A friendship that turned into love, and through it I met the band and it opened another world to me, my MYSTERIOUS GIRL.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Valdenia F.
What burned (original)
A dificuldade de recomeçar do zero, num país novo, enfrentando a solidão, as incertezas e pessoas que me ensinaram tanto pelo bem como pelo mal.
As lágrimas derramadas em silêncio, as batalhas que enfrentei sem testemunhas e os dias em que precisei encontrar forças para continuar.
Uma relação que me levou ao fundo do poço, onde não era o amor que me prendia, mas o medo de não conseguir recomeçar sozinha. A tristeza de me olhar e não me reconhecer foi horrível.
What glows (original)
Escolhi libertar-me, enfrentei o medo de recomeçar e descobri que a minha maior força era a capacidade de voltar a escolher a mim mesma.
Hoje brilham a liberdade, os sonhos, a natureza e um sentimento inesperado que me mostrou que, depois de tantas tempestades, a vida ainda guarda lindos por-do sol maravilhosos. Uma amizade que se transformou em amor e foi através dela que conheci a banda e me abriu outro mundo, minha MENINA MISTERIOSA.
Track
Ritual
Sanna S.
Mikkeli, Finland
What burned
carrying too much responsibility for too long, staying strong when I was tired, and learning that not everything is mine to fix.
What glows
curiosity, stubborn hope, loyalty, and the part of me that refuses to disappear just to make life easier for others.
I've been struggling with depression since I was 14/15. I've been through three attempts, I've been used, manipulated, I've been through sa. I'm left with terrific memory issues (I'm only over 20) and it's been really hard to accept that the years I've lost due to that illness won't return. My partner of 3 years has broken up with me out of nowhere in Jan and I've been through a complete mental breakdown, I had to be hospitalized. Stuff has been really difficult to deal with lately..
What glows
Mostly music and my friends. They have pulled me from really bad place, forced me to go to the gym when I was a wreck, just so I didn't isolate again, went out with me when I was having thoughts of relapsing and they don't even know that, I try to let them know how fucking grateful I am to have them. As for music, Within Temptation is absolutely on top with Blackbriar. I ain't going nowhere I can't miss out the new pieces, come ooooon :D
Track
The Reckoning
D V.
Mierlo, Netherlands
What burned
What was very hard for me is mainly that I had to fight hard to belong somewhere. The bullying for various reasons (incl. coming out, etc.) caused me to fall into depression and I still carry the scars of it. I am still insecure because of it and afraid that I am not good enough. Sometimes I really feel like it is an endless struggle you have to fight.
What glows
What I draw the most strength from is music. Your music helped me when I felt only a little bit. Furthermore, I now have a few friends and a boyfriend who are always there for me and support me through thick and thin.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of D V.
What burned (original)
Wat voor mij heel hard was, is vooral dat ik hard heb moeten vechten om ergens bij te horen. Het gepest om verschillende redenen (oa. coming-out, etc) heeft ervoor gezorgd dat ik in depressie kwam en nog steeds de littekens hiervan draag. Ik ben nog steeds onzeker hierdoor en bang dat ik niet goed genoeg ben. Ik heb soms echt het gevoel dat het eindeloze strijd is die je moet vechten.
What glows (original)
Het gene waar ik het meeste kracht uithaal is voor muziek. Jullie muziek heeft mij geholpen wanneer ik me het slechts voelde. Verder heb ik nu paar vrienden en een vriend die er altijd voor mij zijn en me steunen door dik en dun.
A past relationship with a former partner ended poorly and resulted in sustained personal and professional fallout. Following a public breakup, they spread false information intended to damage my personal reputation, undermine my friendships, and jeopardize my career. While the experience was deeply challenging
What glows
Stepping back and focusing on fresh creative and personal pursuits such as my new relationship, music, motorcycle restoration, and my career has proven to be the most effective path forward. Embracing new experiences and channeling energy into meaningful passions provides the ideal foundation for healing, growth, and renewed momentum.
I was groomed online for from 16-18 years old and nearly failed out of my first semester of college
What glows
I got the help that I needed, and now I have a bachelors degree, a supportive family, and a healthy relationship with the love of my life.
Track
Raise Your Banner
Robina H.
Hasselt, Belgium
What burned
I have had chronic pain since I was 14. I lost my sister to suicide in 2000 and my mama to cancer in 2013.
What glows
My two daughters, aged 18 and 21, keep me alive. When the pain is bad, I listen to Within Temptation with headphones on.
Machine-translated into English. Show the original text of Robina H.
What burned (original)
Ik heb chronische pijn sinds mijn 14 de. Ik verloor mijn zus in 2000 aan zelfmoord en mijn mama in 2013 door kanker
What glows (original)
Mijn twee dochters van 18 en 21 houden mij in leven. Bij erge pijn luister ik met koptelefoon naar within temptation
Tamela V.
Nashville, United States
What burned
My soul dog. I lost her in February and I am not okay.
What glows
I have my husband, who loves me unconditionally.
Track
Sing Like A Siren
Add your story
Write in your own language, we'll translate it to English. After sending, we email you a link: your story is published once you confirm your email address. You can delete it at any time with the link in that email.