I Never Told You I Was Broken is not an easy song, nor an easy subject. In a culture of emotional repression, victim blaming, and lack of empathy, it can be extremely difficult to tell others that you have been abused, assaulted, traumatized, or suffer from mental illness. Even those with sympathy may treat you differently, or trust your competence less. It is a door that cannot be closed. Our self preservation instincts cause us to hide parts of ourselves that are in no way bad, but will be construed as bad, and give us permanent classification. These imposed negative labels may come to dominate other’s perceptions of us. While trauma can affect everything, it is not the whole of a person. Trying to overcome trauma while facing fear or judgement from others adds more mountains, and can be debilitating. Survivors may keep things private for very good reasons, but they may also internalize shame, even when they have done nothing wrong. You can tell the world and be judged, or tell no one and feel isolated; Are these the best we have for choices in a world where we know better?

This song is for anyone dealing with that pain, you are not alone.