From Surviving to Thriving (Part 2) — Choosing Yourself After Narcissistic Abuse with Tarisha Fields

In this powerful continuation of her story, Tarisha Fields returns to The Healing Lounge to share what life looks like after survival — the deep, unfiltered truth about choosing herself, setting boundaries, and learning to love without apology.

Once trapped in the cycle of toxic relationships, people-pleasing, and self-sacrifice, Tarisha reveals how awareness, community, and self-trust became the foundation for her transformation. From her breathwork and journaling practices to her courageous decision to live in Costa Rica, she shows what it means to turn pain into purpose and fear into freedom.

Together, we explore:

• How to move from awareness to application in healing
• The power of self-talk and inner validation
• Breaking the guilt cycle around self-care
• Reclaiming boundaries as acts of survival
• Why community is essential for lasting recovery
• And how loving yourself changes everything you attract

Tarisha’s story is a radiant example of what’s possible when you stop surviving and start thriving.

If you’ve ever wondered what life looks like on the other side of narcissistic abuse — this episode is your proof that peace, joy, and purpose are waiting for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Passage to Peace Essentials™ Program — Join the next healing cohort at www.PassagetoPeace.com
• Tarisha’s coaching and community: Empower Her Within
• The Healing Lounge Journal Prompt of the Week: “What decision have you been avoiding that could move you from surviving to thriving?

Transcript

Marcia Williams:
Hi everyone, welcome back to The Healing Lounge. This is part two of Tarisha Fields’ amazing journey from surviving to thriving after narcissistic abuse. Welcome back, Tarisha — I’m so glad you’re here again.

Tarisha:
I’m so glad to be here. It’s a pleasure joining you again.

Marcia Williams:
Thank you so much. Before we dive back in, share a little bit about who you are and what brought you to the place you are today.

Tarisha:
I’m a certified yoga instructor, meditation guide, holistic life coach, and author — but most importantly, I’m a survivor and a thriver. I’m the mother of two beautiful boys and I’m living the life I’m now designing and desiring to live.

What got me here was realizing I was in unhealthy relationships. I saw the pattern and finally sought help — and that help led me to you, Marcia. You introduced me to the concept of narcissistic personalities, which I hadn’t known before. Ironically, I met you because my partner at the time told me I needed therapy — though not kindly. But that decision changed my life.

Marcia Williams:
That’s proof that we don’t have to do it alone. Support and validation — whether through therapy, support groups, or community — are essential. So how did you move from surviving to thriving?

Tarisha:
It started with awareness. I knew my relationships were unhealthy, but I didn’t understand the magnitude. I was such a people-pleaser, carrying self-sacrifice like a badge of honor. I thought putting everyone else first made me a good person. Once I realized what was really happening — that I was dealing with people who required special handling — I made a decision. I decided I was going to be well. That decision changed everything.

Marcia Williams:
I love that — “I made a decision.” Awareness is the beginning, but applying that awareness is where healing starts. What did you do with that awareness?

Tarisha:
I found tools. I deepened my yoga and meditation practice. I focused on breathing and intentional living — asking myself, “How do I want to show up today?”

When I felt triggered, I stopped beating myself up for it. I learned to breathe and to listen to what my emotions were trying to tell me. Journaling and self-talk became daily tools.

Marcia Williams:
Self-talk is powerful — it helps us rewire the negative scripts and conditioning we absorbed during those toxic relationships. Triggers don’t vanish overnight; we just learn how to take back our power from them.

Tarisha:
Exactly. Even when it’s my own inner critic, I now talk to my emotions like children — asking, “What do you need?” That compassion toward myself has been transformative.

Marcia Williams:
That’s beautiful. You’re describing emotional attunement — listening to your inner voice, honoring and validating it. And you’re right: we must learn to speak kindly to ourselves, not just silence the voice of the narcissist.

Tarisha:
And that’s why community is so important. We can’t do this alone. We’re built to depend on each other — to be strong for others when they can’t be, and to let others be strong for us. I had to learn how to receive. When I started receiving support, some people fell away — but the ones who stayed loved me for who I truly was.

Marcia Williams:
You don’t have to shrink, hide, or earn acceptance. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish — it’s survival. And that means setting boundaries, especially when they weren’t respected before. What other ways did you begin prioritizing yourself?

Tarisha:
It started small — like protecting my quiet bath time. My kids knew: “Don’t bother Mom when the bathroom door is closed.” That was sacred.

Eventually, I took bigger steps, like coming to Costa Rica. I felt guilty at first — guilty for leaving family behind, guilty for wanting time alone — but I knew I needed it. I talked to that guilt and reminded myself, “I deserve this.”

Taking that step taught me to live intentionally, to dream again, and to fall in love with my own life.

Marcia Williams:
That’s powerful. Boundaries and guilt often collide, especially for women who were conditioned to believe self-care is selfish. But what you’re describing is necessary, not optional.

Tarisha:
Exactly. It’s not easy — it’s necessary. My life depends on it. Healing required stepping out of victimhood and reclaiming my voice. I still get tested, but each test reminds me of how far I’ve come.

Marcia Williams:
Beautifully said. And that brings us to the power of community — like the one we’ve built in the Passage to Peace program. How was your experience in P2P Essentials?

Tarisha:
Transformational. It was pivotal in my growth. Supporting others while healing myself was such a gift — it’s a beautiful dance. When I was tempted to doubt myself, the group reminded me I wasn’t crazy or overreacting. That validation was everything.

Marcia Williams:
Yes — when I said, “That’s not okay,” I was reflecting back what your intuition already knew. That’s how survivors rebuild trust in themselves.

Tarisha:
Exactly. Now I use that self-check daily — asking, “Is this for me to do? Am I overgiving?” That awareness keeps me grounded and aligned.

Marcia Williams:
And you didn’t just heal — you came back to P2P as a Recovery Empowerment Partner to support new survivors. You’ve paid it forward beautifully. What does that look like for you today?

Tarisha:
I founded Empower Her Within, where I help women move from surviving to thriving. These women have done the counseling work and are now asking, “What’s next?” I help them reconnect to purpose, femininity, and intuition so they can live intentionally.

Every story I hear strengthens mine. Healing others keeps me accountable to my own continued healing.

Marcia Williams:
That’s growth in action. Boundaries, purpose, giving back — they’re all part of an evolving journey. Challenges will always come, but they’re opportunities to practice peace.

Tarisha:
Yes — and I don’t apologize for my joy anymore. Fear used to stop me, but now I see fear as a guide. Each time I face it, I grow stronger. Every small act of courage opens new possibilities.

Marcia Williams:
You’ve proven that fear and freedom coexist. We just have to take that first small step, even if it’s trembling. And through that process, we find ourselves.

Tarisha:
Exactly. Healing reveals possibilities. I couldn’t even dream of traveling solo before I started doing the work. But now I’ve been to Zanzibar, Egypt, and Costa Rica — and I’m not done yet.

Marcia Williams:
And that’s the magic — we find strength in the doing. Waiting until we “feel ready” means we’ll never do it. Healing is choosing yourself even when it’s hard.

Tarisha:
Yes. And when you do, the right people show up. The wrong ones fall away — and that’s okay. Setting boundaries doesn’t just free you; it frees them too. Love allows space.

Marcia Williams:
And that’s the ultimate lesson — love starts with self-love. You radiate that now. How did you get to this place of self-love?

Tarisha:
It took deep inner work. I used to look in the mirror and not see beauty. I sought validation from partners because I didn’t feel it within myself. Now, I love myself from the inside out.

I don’t need a partner to complete me. When I do choose love again, it’ll be from a place of wholeness, not brokenness.

Marcia Williams:
That’s the heart of it. We attract who we are. Healing ourselves changes what we attract. Narcissists preyed on our empathy and self-sacrifice, but now we attract people who value our strength, peace, and confidence.

Tarisha:
Yes. I teach women not to play the blame game. We acknowledge what was done to us — but we also own our part, with compassion and grace. We did the best we could with what we knew. Healing is taking responsibility without shame.

And I’ll never regret being a loving person. Love didn’t hurt me — manipulation did. So I’ll keep loving, but with boundaries.

Marcia Williams:
You are the living example of what’s possible on the other side of that door — peace, purpose, and power. Thank you, Tarisha, for your courage and light.

Tarisha:
Thank you, Marcia. I’m so grateful to be part of this community and to share my story. If it helps even one person know they’re not alone, it’s worth it.

End of Episode

Marcia’s Closing Note:
If you’re ready to begin your own healing journey, visit www.PassagetoPeace.com to learn more about the P2P Essentials program, free resources, and community support.

Journal Prompt of the Week:
What decision have you been avoiding that could move you from surviving to thriving?

Share your reflection on Instagram @PassageToPeace using #TheHealingLoungePrompt.