Burn Survivor Wears Her Crown with Victory

Scars, both physical and emotional don’t have to be a negative reminder of pain. Their very image shows the body’s strength and resilience. Dawn Monique Brown has bore her scars with confidence for the last 14 years after a traumatizing allergic reaction. While this experience altered her life forever, Dawn has claimed her victory — scars and all. Back in 2004, Dawn paid a visit to see the doctor about her cold — or, so she thought. She was diagnosed with a sinus infection and given medication to take for the next two weeks. Unfortunately, her symptoms worsened and she returned to the doctor.

Nikki CharnstromSeptember 27, 2018chic of the month, crowned, burn survivor, strength, pain, hurt, trauma, accident, burn, medical, health, truth about struggle, God, relationship with Jesus, faith, Jesus, inspirational, encouragement, phoenix, rising, victory, victim, she is victoriousComment

Once a Victim, Now a Victor

Roughly three years ago, I faced one of the darkest times of my life. I was finishing up college in a beautiful mountain town just two hours from home. I flourished here. I found out a lot about myself I hadn’t known before and I felt so strong, so independent. Then, one night, everything changed. I am struggling to tell you this because this is a story I have never told publicly — and most definitely never in writing in such detail. But, Crowned Chics is a place for honesty and I promise to always communicate with you in a real way. OK, here it goes…

Nikki CharnstromSeptember 24, 2018struggle, struggle is okay, strength, strong women, true struggle, truth about struggle, victory, victorious, she is victorious, drugged, alcohol, drinking, roofied, victim, loneliness, hurt, pain, blog for women, new blog, anxiety, counseling, therapist, PTSD, trauma, black out, grace, love yourself Comments

Fighting for Happiness Amidst Anxiety

I am a firm believer that you cannot fully enjoy life without struggle. After all, the struggle makes the good parts in life that much better. While attending Northern Arizona University, I ran into a lot of mental health issues. Long days of classes, homework, work, and bad relationships quietly snuck up on me and before I knew it, I was in a downward spiral I couldn’t make my way out of. Restless nights and constant knots in my stomach kept me from seeing things clearly and everyone around me knew there was something deeper going on — especially my parents. After sitting down one spring afternoon and opening up to them about my current struggles, it was clear I needed help.

Nikki CharnstromSeptember 20, 2018anxiety, struggle, truth, real stories, mental health, overcomer, victory, she is victorious, blog for women, health, problems, break in, ptsd, truth about struggle, happiness, new blog, encouragement, inspirational Comment

Choosing a Lifestyle of Body Positivity

I can remember looking into the mirror saying the most mean things to myself. I truly felt unworthy of love. I felt alone, friendless, ugly and trapped in my own body. Disorders do NOT have a look. I did not look unhealthy, or unhappy. I looked fine. I acted fine. I did not look like I was starving my body of nutrients or binging late at night because I was so hungry. I did not look like I was sad. I became the master of "I’m fine."

Nikki CharnstromSeptember 17, 2018body, body positivity, eating disorders, struggle, victory, life advice, encouragement, positivity, girls, women, overcoming disorders, strength, victorious, advice for women, emotional, real stories, christian, christian blog, sad, wow, inspiring, girl power, disorderComment

Finding Victory from Fear

Fear is sneaky. It creeps in when you least expect it. It tags along when it is most unwelcome. It shows up when you are dealing with loss, with grief, with frustration, with pain. Fear knows no boundaries. It is no respecter of persons. Rich people fear. Poor people fear. Men fear. Women fear. The educated fear. The uneducated fear. It doesn’t matter what religion, what race, what your family looks like, what town you live in — fear will try to find its way in.

Nikki CharnstromSeptember 13, 2018struggle, victory, victorious, hurt, grief, loss, sadness, blog for women, christianity, christian blog, truth, true struggle, advice for women, encouragement, death, family, overcome, personal story, real storiesComment

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