After a traumatic brain injury dramatically changed her life, Alison Perry-Davies was forced to rethink everything she once knew about identity, purpose, and healing. In this powerful conversation, she shares how creativity, spirituality, and forgiveness helped her rediscover joy and rebuild her life in unexpected ways. Alison’s story is a reminder that even in our most difficult moments, we can still create meaning, connection, and healing.
Life can shift in an instant. For Alison Perry-Davies, that shift came in 2015 when a traumatic brain injury altered the course of her life and career. What followed was not just a recovery process, but a complete reinvention of who she was and how she navigated the world.
In this episode of the Own Your Awkward Podcast, Alison opens up about trauma, creativity, and the deeply human journey of learning to accept ourselves exactly as we are.
When Life Changes Overnight
Before her accident, Alison had a thriving career and a clear sense of direction. After the brain injury, many of the abilities she once relied on were suddenly gone or dramatically altered.
She had to relearn basic functions and adapt to a brain that didn’t always work the way it used to.
Moments she describes as “brain pauses” became part of daily life.
Instead of fighting these moments or viewing them as failures, Alison eventually learned something profound: healing begins when we stop bullying ourselves for being human.
That shift in mindset became a cornerstone of her recovery.
Accepting Your Humanity
During the conversation, Alison shares a phrase that perfectly captures her approach to life now:
“I think my awkward is that I’m just unbearably human.”
It’s a simple statement, but it carries a powerful truth.
So often we believe we need to be strong, perfect, or composed in order to move forward after hardship. Alison’s experience shows the opposite. Healing requires honesty about our struggles and compassion for ourselves.
Instead of pretending she had everything figured out, Alison allowed herself to acknowledge fear, confusion, and vulnerability.
Ironically, that acceptance became one of the most freeing parts of her journey.
Creativity as a Tool for Healing
One of the most important discoveries Alison made after her injury was the healing power of creativity.
Painting and writing became more than hobbies. They became essential tools for processing emotion, releasing trauma, and reconnecting with her sense of self.
Many people think of art as entertainment or performance, but Alison approaches it differently.
For her, creativity is therapy.
Through painting, journaling, and storytelling, she found a way to express feelings that were difficult to articulate verbally. Creative expression allowed her to move emotions through her body and mind in ways traditional conversation sometimes couldn’t.
In many ways, art became the bridge between trauma and healing.
Why Alison Doesn’t Focus on the Trauma Itself
One of the most powerful perspectives Alison shares in the episode is how she chooses to talk about her story.
Instead of focusing heavily on the traumatic event itself, she intentionally limits that part of the conversation.
Her approach is simple:
10% of the story is about the trauma
90% of the story is about the healing journey
Why?
Because constantly revisiting the details of trauma can re-trigger both the storyteller and the audience.
Alison believes the real value in sharing stories comes from discussing what happens after trauma. How we adapt, how we heal, and how we rediscover joy.
This shift doesn’t ignore pain. Instead, it centers growth and resilience.
Managing Anxiety and Triggers
Another part of Alison’s journey involved learning how to manage anxiety and emotional triggers.
After trauma, the body can remain in a heightened state of alert. Sometimes the physical sensations of anxiety can even feel similar to excitement.
Part of Alison’s healing involved learning to slow down and interpret what her body was telling her.
When she feels overwhelmed, she turns to simple grounding activities:
Washing dishes
Walking around her house
Doing small physical tasks
These activities may sound ordinary, but they create space for the mind to reset.
They bring attention back to the present moment, allowing emotions to settle before they spiral.
Sometimes healing isn’t about dramatic breakthroughs. Sometimes it’s about doing the dishes.
Learning to Stop Being a Bully to Yourself
One of the deeper themes in Alison’s story is self-forgiveness.
Before the injury, like many people, she carried a strong inner critic. After the accident, that voice became even louder when she struggled with things that once felt easy.
Through counseling, reflection, and creative work, Alison began to challenge that voice.
She realized something important:
Everyone is dealing with something.
Everyone is a little broken in their own way.
Instead of judging herself for her limitations, she started practicing acceptance.
That shift allowed her to approach life with more compassion, both for herself and for others.
Finding Joy Again
Despite the hardships she has faced, Alison’s story is ultimately one of hope.
She didn’t simply survive trauma. She built a new life from it.
Today, Alison works as a Holistic Integrated Creative Art Therapist, helping others use creativity as a pathway to healing and self-discovery.
She also shares her story through her book, The Art of Healing Trauma: Finding Joy Through Creativity, Spirituality and Forgiveness.
Her message isn’t about pretending life is easy.
Instead, it’s about recognizing that joy can coexist with struggle.
We can carry our wounds and still create beautiful things.
The Power of Owning Your Awkward
Alison’s journey perfectly embodies the spirit behind the Own Your Awkward philosophy.
Being human means being imperfect.
It means facing moments where we feel confused, overwhelmed, or unsure.
But those moments don’t disqualify us from living meaningful lives.
In fact, they often become the foundation for our deepest growth.
Alison reminds us that healing isn’t about becoming someone new.
Sometimes it’s simply about accepting who we already are.
And in that acceptance, we can begin to find joy again.
