I Struggle, Yet I Emerge. Jeanene's Story.
Luctor et emergo… I struggle, yet I emerge.
What makes you a Beautiful Disaster?
I have scars, but I survived. Women are strong—we can survive anything and still come out smelling like a rose.
Why do you identify with the Beautiful Disaster brand?
Because it represents resilience. The message speaks to me—acknowledging the struggles, the battle scars, and the ability to rise above it all.
My Beautiful Disaster Story
After 40 years of marriage—pfft! Just like that, it was over.
Narcissism… I didn’t even know the word. It wasn’t in my vocabulary. But I learned.
We bought a retirement home on an island—the dream life, right? At least for everyone but me. I’m fair-skinned, prone to melanomas, yet he never listened. As usual, I just went along. Yes, I had cancer, but because I survived it, he assumed it was gone forever. Idiot. Me and him.
Then he bailed. Left me there—alone—on a rock in the ocean, remodeling and updating a house that was never my dream in the first place. He wasn’t having an affair; he just didn’t care. He simply didn’t give a shit and went back to his life in the States.
Who does that?
So I took my life back. I moved home. I divorced him—and his addictions.
I gave up security, and it took me nearly three years to come out of the fetal position. I had been with him since I was 19, but now? Now I’m discovering who I am! And you know what? I’m pretty awesome. I sure didn’t need all that baggage.
Now I’m cleaning house—inside and out. Women are so much stronger than men. Life is finally starting to feel good. I only wish I had done it 20 years ago. But age is just a number, and I still feel young inside.
Here’s my advice: Don’t live your life trying to please everyone else. It will wreck you.
What happened for you to turn it around?
I got mad!
Name 3 things you’ve done to move closer to happiness.
- I have little dreams—and I go after them.
- I bought a house and decorated it totally funky.
- I got a dog. And a Jeep. Both are so much fun!
What is your favorite Beautiful Disaster collection, past or present, and why?
I think I have one of the originals from about five years ago. It hit a nerve—“Once Lost, Now Found.”
Comments
Sandi said:
Thanks for sharing! Your story is very inspirational!! I have a dog…now I just need the JEEP 🫶
Cynthia said:
You are a stand up Sister ! We don’t know each other by face or name ,but we are twins from the powers that have taken the time to unite us in spirit and mind ! I too have suffered a 23-(now 28) year relationship of narrissistic abuse.Although the story is different our pain was the same .The extremes he went to,just to be sure I felt his thumb on me at all times was intense & smothering. I ecstatic to now be able to say that I have survived and I have flourished because of the awakening of strength I found within myself to rise above and smack that Demon down ! Thank you for sharing my sister,keep on keeping on ! Beautiful Disaster and Yourself have everything to do with the person I have become now !
Tammy said:
WAY TO GO!!!
Tammy said:
WAY TO GO!!!
Kristin J said:
You Go woman!
Carol young said:
So what happen to house on island and I’m glad your healthy now & happy now & from a man who doesn’t care anymore . It’s gonna be hard and fun to find yourself so enjoy your 2nd life
Diane said:
“Living my best life, one day at a time”
Jana said:
Welcome to the tribe❣️
Amy said:
Beautiful Disaster please bring back your line of “Once Lost, Now Found”!
Amy said:
Fantastic life story! Jeanene, you are correct, women are much stronger then men! Thank you for sharing. Many blessings, Amy
Colette Pelletier said:
Jeanene, stay strong for you and congratulations for doing it on your own. I hear you about people pleasing. It does nothing but leaves one drained. Shine bright!
Tammy said:
Amazing!
Becky said:
I do have a story recently. Divorced after 45 years +3 years separated, has been narcissistic. I went along with a lot of things to just for my child. Who could have. We didn’t have, but I didn’t have a moment. Dad my mother died, which she was 35. Left seven kids behind the youngest bro. First grade is six years old. Maybe seven a few bad things happened to when I was a child first and second grade family. Catch Me in places they shouldn’t have back to my divorce. It was a constant womanizer. He said he would just talk to them, so I assumed sure I go to the gym. I talked to Man. It doesn’t mean a thing, but I guess so. We’re just things. I didn’t wanna see maybe because I wanted my kids to have a mother and a father at home And 80% of the time. It was good. Just the 20% of his lies, and that’s enough than I guess. He started getting sloppy, and I started seeing finding things I should not have been finding lipstick the car Bobby pins that weren’t mine. Strange numbers in his phone, so I’d call them up and find find out like I said recently. Divorced, even a year yet and really just trying to find myself. It’s a little scary out there. Kissed a lot of Man, but I’ve never had sex with more than just one person, so I am scared to date. Thank You.
Lana Braun said:
I am so proud of you. Keep on finding yourself and love all parts of you good and bad. It is then that you can accept love the way it was meant to be. Don’t accept less then you deserve. You are strong, smart, and special. You came from royalty remember that!!
Lana Braun said:
I am so proud of you. Keep on finding yourself and love all parts of you good and bad. It is then that you can accept love the way it was meant to be. Don’t accept less then you deserve. You are strong, smart, and special. You came from royalty remember that!!
Stephanie Thomas said:
Lost 10 yrs behind bars no one gave a shit now I’m out rebuilding and I’m a beautiful disaster🩷
Kelly U said:
Is there a way to contact the ones who do these stories
Mary said:
Hi. Going through my 3rd divorce to yet another narcissist so I understand. They are so loving for such a short time and then bam psychology abuse and we don’t even realize it. They make you believe anything wrong is 100% your fault.
So glad you found your strength. I’m still trying. One day I will find myself again.
Mary
Heather Durham said:
Thank you for your courage and resilience! I went through much the same tragic story. At almost 50 I have been married, divorced, and have three beautiful children, and 5 amazing granddaughters. Keep up the great work and I will continue to wear and represent BD!
SHARLEAN WILLIAMSON said:
You got this!
Julie Lefler said:
I truly feel for you,😢😫I myself was Married to the Same Guy for 48 Years!! 3 now Grown Adults with 4 Grandchildren, In the beginning of our relationship There were signs I noticed about him BUT I WAS IN LOVE SO I THOUGHT…….
Don’t get me wrong we had some pretty awesome times BUT WORSE THEN THE GOOD!!!!!!
The only thing that came out of that Relationship was My 3 Kids and 4 Awesome Grandbabies!!!!! He Abused me more than the good times. I fought in Court for 2 and half years this coming May 10th Will be exactly 1 years we have been divorced. He was a narcissist, abuser, and controlled everything in my life from money to eating the food I was feeding our children at the time. I lost so many friends and witnessed him abuse my kids physically and literally not let my mom enter our house he would tell her she wasn’t welcomed and when he would fight with me he would tell me don’t let the door hit me in my ass and so on. So my advice for you and anyone else going through something like this please watch the signs and get out I was fortunate to be one to get out and not killed as many times as he Chocked me in front of the kids, even Friends of his he would bring home from work!!!!! I am loving My new Chapter in Life being Single. Guess you can say I’m finally living the Dream❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Angela eklund said:
Im so proud of you. I only wish o had ur courage and i could leave. Im 47 i been with husband since 15 and hes a big narcissist that has been my father instead of my husband and he doesn’t care about me other than what I can do for him. It’s disgusting. I am sick all the time and I can’t financially take care of myself and I think that’s one of the biggest things we woman struggle with. I have lots of health problems now most likely due to decades of abuse and im scared im going to die lonely never knowing what true love felt like. Thank you for ur story. Im so proud to hear when someone breaks free! Kudos to u and best of luck on ur journey!
Traci said:
When I was 12 years old my father would not Accept me being a Lesbian then Something happened to me, when I was 20 years old that should never happen to any woman ever, So I became a Functional Alcoholic and addicted for 37 and then in 1998 to 2001 I tryed my Best to get Sober and Clean for everyone I loved but it didn’t work into I decided in May 31 2002 I been Clean and Sober since then and then one I saw your ad on Facebook my favorite Sweatshirt Hating me won’t make you petty I love it. It’s my favorite color to Dark Gray Thank you so very much for listening and doing this for all of us
Traci said:
When I was 12 years old my father would not Accept me being a Lesbian then Something happened to me, when I was 20 years old that should never happen to any woman ever, So I became a Functional Alcoholic and addicted for 37 and then in 1998 to 2001 I tryed my Best to get Sober and Clean for everyone I loved but it didn’t work into I decided in May 31 2002 I been Clean and Sober since then and then one I saw your ad on Facebook Your sweatshirt which is my f