I was notorious for being an active T-Swift listener during my awkward middle school days. Her infamous song “Fifteen” had one line that has oddly enough stuck with me until today; “I’ve found that time can heal almost anything.” Since middle school, I've been through a lot, so I had to sit back and wonder if it's indeed true that time can heal almost anything.

Exactly one year to the day, my world was turned upside down. I was forced to change paths and cope with jagged emotions that ate me alive. Throughout the whole healing process, I was faced with a thought: Will it get any better? How do I go on with my life knowing that I have become a victim? The idea ran through my head for days and eventually months. It has been twelve months later, the pain is beginning to slowly subside and I am learning that time is for sure a healing factor.

However, it does completely depend on what you’re trying to heal from. In my case, my assault was something that I knew would take more than a day to get over. For months, I sat in my room brainstorming ways to quickly get over it. Therapy, a new hobby, a new job? I wasn’t exactly sure how to shake this whole thing off.

Events like this don’t just “shake off” as simple as we want them to; they can’t vanish overnight. Your demons will sit on your shoulders and haunt you for the rest of your life but it’s okay to slowly let go and begin to move on.

Throughout my year, I’ve met countless girls who have encountered the same experience as I had. After talking to them and conversing about our feelings, hopes and concerns, it was clear to me that I’m not alone. I began to see my support system and I began to realize that I was quickly amongst the strong, insightful women who were victims as well.

I’ve said this countless times and I will say it again; if you are a victim, you are not alone. All of us, men and women alike, are here to hold your hand and guide you through your healing process. The lesson I’ve learned on my road to recovery is that time can indeed heal this. After a while, the crying lessens, the pain becomes bearable and the emotions you have fade into something that is somewhat easily dealt with. Will it stick with us forever? Of course. However, these things don’t define us. We are strong, we are willing to fight and we are warriors. If you are stuck on your road to recovery and aren’t sure of anything, know that with time you will become better.

Time can be scary. After time goes by, memories fade and you’re left with what ever you have left. Hold on to what you have left and cherish it; it makes you who you are today. Give time a chance and don’t let it frighten you. It can only be one of the best forms of help.