When the Anniversary Comes Around

For many survivors of sexual assault, July isn’t just another month on the calendar. It may mark the anniversary of a traumatic event, a court date, a disclosure, or the moment life changed forever. While others celebrate summer vacations and holidays, many survivors quietly carry memories that resurface this time of year.

As a survivor, I’ve learned that healing isn’t about forgetting. It’s about learning to live without allowing the past to define every part of who I am. Anniversary dates have a way of bringing emotions to the surface—fear, sadness, anger, anxiety, or even guilt. Sometimes they arrive unexpectedly, and other times I’ve counted down the days, wondering how I’ll get through them.

What I’ve discovered is that there is no “right” way to feel. Healing isn’t linear, and there is no timeline for recovery. Some years feel lighter than others, and that’s okay. What matters most is giving yourself permission to honor where you are today, not where you think you should be.

I’ve learned to prepare for these difficult days with compassion. I spend time with people I trust, limit situations that feel overwhelming, journal my thoughts, take walks, pray or meditate, and remind myself that I survived. The anniversary may always be part of my story, but it no longer gets to write the ending.

If you’re approaching an anniversary this month, know that you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, your healing matters, and your voice deserves to be heard. There is strength in reaching out for support and courage in taking healing one day at a time.

This July, I choose to celebrate not the day that hurt me, but the person I’ve become because I refused to give up. Healing is possible, hope is real, and every step forward is worth celebrating.