The one lesson I’ve learned from life
Katie Piper, 34, is a TV presenter and author who survived a horrific acid attack caused by an ex-boyfriend in 2008. She set up the Katie Piper Foundation to help others with scars. Pregnant with a second child, Katie lives in London with her husband and three-year-old daughter Belle.
YOU MUST MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR PAST
RECENTLy, as I was giving a motivational speech to hundreds of people, I realised it wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago. I’d have turned the invitation down, convinced I’d be too terrified.
The first time I spoke publicly, I was scared, of course. But the more I did it, the more confident I became, and nowadays it feels quite natural.
So what happened to change my mind? I’d made peace with my past and had freed myself from all its negativity. This let me become more confident and able to take advantage of opportunities that came my way.
It was hard not to let the acid attack affect me for a long time. I was left partially blind, with severe scarring that required reconstructive surgery.
For about three years afterwards, I held on to the trauma and put much of my energy into remembering the past. But it meant I lacked the resources to make the most of my future — I was going over old ground rather than creating new.
A few years ago, I took my therapist’s advice to do life coach online seminars and read self-help books. I found them helpful, especially Tony Robbins, Kate Hayes and Oprah Winfrey’s newsletter.
I became more assertive and found the confidence to tell people who constantly questioned me about the attack that I didn’t want to talk about it.
Putting the past to bed didn’t happen naturally, I had to work at it. I have to remind myself not to slip back, but it’s worth it as I lead a calmer, happier life.
I still find myself hanging on to some things for too long, such as if I’ve done a job and not prepared properly as I’ve been busy. It knocks my confidence weeks later. I have to tell myself to prepare better in future and move on.
Letting go of the past is something many of us could benefit from. We carry around stuff from our childhood, old relationships or nasty things that have been said to us, and let it ruin our future. you learn a lot from making peace with it.