color key — red: assault; green: self-reflection, self-harm; black: suicide. the contrast of light and dark correlates with bright and somber tones of voice.

“I Have Survived…”

Below are the anonymous one-liners we collected at Bonnaroo in 2019.

I have survived abuse and assault.

I have survived depression and anxiety.

I have survived toxic relationships.

I have loved and lost and loved again.

I have survived the death of many people close to me.

I have survived the 10-hour car ride to get here.

I want to show people that it’s okay to talk about difficult subjects.

I want to show others that they can fight too.

I want to show people that personal progress is not a straight line.

I have survived my physically and mentally abusive father.

I have survived a suicide attempt.

I have survived four years of abuse, and 21 more. 

I have survived crippling depression. 

I want to show people that it’ll be okay.

I have survived rape, self-harm, depression, and abuse.

I have survived paralyzing self-doubt and insecurity. 

I have survived my own mind. Because it’s okay to be crazy.

I have survived addiction.

I have survived harassment in the kitchen industry.

I have survived being a nurse.

I have survived my eating disorder and trauma (and you can, too).

I want to show others that I care.

I have survived depression and attempted suicide.

I have survived my work environment.

I fight for myself. I fight to be comfortable in my own skin and for the future I’ll have one day.

I want to show others that there is good in everyone.

I have survived sexual abuse and mental abuse.

I have survived sexual abuse. Now I am strong and happy. Years after.

I have survived sexual assault from a friend’s boyfriend. Lost that friendship and trust for a long time. Life gets better, even if it takes some time. 

I have survived getting molested by my uncle.

I have survived anxiety, self-doubt, sadness, and overthinking.

I have survived depression, sexual abuse, and physical head trauma.

I have survived a lot and I’m still here.

I want to show people that there is always reason to fight on. You are enough.

I have survived PTSD from sexual assault and an abusive relationship with the father of my son. He would get angry and try to trigger my PTSD. I now feel protected. 

I fight for myself and others like me.

I have survived countless panic attacks and sadness I once thought was insurmountable. 

I want to show people that what happened to me in the past does not mean I don’t deserve better in the future.

I have survived gaslighting by people I loved and trusted. 

I have survived childbirth.

I have survived poverty.

I have survived, so far, just being a woman.

I want to show others that no matter what happens, keep hope alive. 

I have survived cancer.

I have survived suicidal thoughts and anxiety.

I fight for self-love. 

I have survived being raped and assaulted by three men when I was 14. One was my best friend. I am currently on my journey to closure. 

I have survived a Donny Brook ‘fight’. 

I have survived again and again. Keep going.

I have survived addiction.

I have survived betrayal and feeling like I’m losing control over my emotions. 

I have survived supporting my best friend through her abortion. 

I have survived being stuck in the same place as my assaulter for years.

I have survived emotional and physical abuse by my mother, self-harm, and crippling anxiety.

I fight for healing intergenerational trauma to make a better future for my daughter. 

I have survived life until now.

I fight for the impoverished.

I have survived being raped by a “friend” when I was drunk.

I have survived abuse, and I pretended it wasn’t real. My sister gave me the strength to see it. Thank you for doing that for others. 

I have survived sexual assaults as a child, a preteen, teen, and adult. 

I have survived abuse and the struggles of being a woman.

I have survived self-doubt.

I have survived severe social anxiety and depression. 

I survived Bonnaroo 2019.