Let go. Be free
There are moments in life when we must stand still, not because we choose to but because the weight of the past keeps us from moving forward.
Dear friends, it’s been a while, I know. Sometimes, one must take a pause to reground ourselves, to release the chains that have held us captive for so long. For me, those chains were formed from grief, trauma, and the echoes of the past.
After the first publication of my memoir, Shattered Paradise, the shadows of post-traumatic stress crept back into my life like uninvited guests. They took root in my chest alongside the aching void left by my mother’s passing. She was my anchor—the one person who knew how to guide me through the storms of life, always sheltering me, even if it meant losing a part of herself. Her love was both my shield and my light.
Writing Shattered Paradise was supposed to be my way of telling the story of survival and honoring my journey and the sacrifices that came with it. But what I didn’t realize was that in writing it, I was opening wounds I thought had long healed. When I translated my pain into English, it felt like a step removed from my soul. But when the time came to write in Spanish, my native language, the voices—the memories, the ghosts of the past—pierced me like never before. It was as if I could no longer escape the truth that had been waiting to be heard.
Those chains, forged from the weight of war, loss, and silence, had kept me bound for so long. But through the act of writing, I found the strength to cut through them, link by link. The voices I feared would overwhelm me became part of my release. They stopped being my tormentors and instead became a part of the story that no longer controlled me.
It took time—much longer than I anticipated—but in the end, it was worth it. Through writing, acceptance, and release, I have learned to appreciate the beauty in the scars I carry. My past no longer holds me hostage; instead, it has become a part of me that I can embrace without fear.
To anyone reading this, I offer this reminder: whatever chains may bind you—whether they are from grief, trauma, or memories you’re not ready to face—know that you have the power to break free. Your past shapes you, but it does not define you. Let go. Be free. Because freedom isn’t in forgetting; it’s in remembering without letting the past control your future.
Forthcoming books:
A Pedal Away, a novel
A Pedal Away unfolds as a historical novel that intertwines themes of survival, resilience, and redemption, set primarily against the backdrop of Managua, Nicaragua, particularly focusing on the desolate setting of La Chureca, the largest landfill in Central America. The novel brings together four central characters from different walks of life: Eileen, Manuelito, John, and Lucrecia, whose lives intersect in ways that challenge their understanding of loss, hope, and human connection.
Meant To Be, a memoir
As I look back on the journey that led to Shattered Paradise, I realize that it was only the beginning. What started as a story of survival has evolved into something much more—a story of healing, growth, and reclaiming my life.
I am excited to share that I’m working on the sequel, Meant to Be, a memoir that picks up where Shattered Paradise left off. This is not just a continuation of my story but an exploration of what it truly means to overcome, to let go of the past, and to thrive in the face of life’s adversities.
In Meant to Be, I delve deeper into the process of acceptance—of the things we cannot change, the loved ones we’ve lost, and the scars we carry. But more importantly, this memoir is about moving forward, not in spite of those experiences, but because of them. It is about finding peace in the chaos and discovering the freedom that comes when we finally release the weight of the past.
Meant to Be is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a story of how, even when the world tells you otherwise, you can reclaim your narrative, define your own path, and truly thrive.
I hope that as I share my experiences, you will find inspiration in your own journeys—whether it’s healing from a difficult past, letting go of what holds us back, or learning to live fully in the present.
Stay tuned for more updates as I bring Meant to Be into the world. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.
"Everything happens for a reason." Mama would often say. We all have a written destiny and are meant to be. I was meant to be. Stay tuned for updates, www.ileanaaraguti.com
