Meet Suzan: From Isolation to Independence
What makes you a Beautiful Disaster?
I have turned my life around after surviving many disasters in my life.
Why do you identify with the Beautiful Disaster brand?
After seeing the brand, I lit up. I thought, That’s ME. And I realized—I’m not alone. I found my tribe.
Tell us your Beautiful Disaster story:
I was married young to an alcoholic, drug abuser, narcissistic mental abuser—for 23 years.
I stayed with him because I felt lost. I didn’t think I had anywhere to turn. I felt isolated and alone, and I was raising our only child. It felt like I was a single parent. He was a chef, always working weekends and holidays. And when he was home, he was too wasted to contribute to anything resembling a “normal” family life.
He passed away suddenly, right in front of me. His addictions ultimately killed him. He developed cirrhosis of the liver, which damaged his organs—and he died.
I was broken 💔 and isolated for many years after his passing. I thought it was my fault—that I was somehow to blame for the way he was.
What happened for you to turn it around?
Meeting with therapists, family, and friends helped me realize:
I am not responsible for the actions of others.
Name 3 things you’ve done to move closer to happiness:
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I stopped isolating.
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I went out with friends—and I even went out by myself.
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I realized that I was not going to let the actions of others dictate my behavior.
What is your favorite Beautiful Disaster collection, past or present, and why?
"What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."
It rings true to me. I am a much stronger woman because I survived what I went through.
Comments
Renee Ricupero said:
Congratulations Suzan on your new found freedom within yourself. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger 💪 is a collection I relate to as well. You are not alone, there are other woman like yourself and I that have survived abusive relationships and didn’t let the relationship or person(s) destroy you. Keep Shining, and finding ✨️ your light and strength within.
Renee Ricupero said:
Keep Shining. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I can relate to your story and relate to the isolation and invisibility feelings from a toxic narcissistic relationship and trauma bond with his passing. I hope you continue to dance if you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you Dance. Healing Journey 2025 and Shiineonedayatime XOXO
Maranda Lee Moore said:
Most ladies are a Beautiful Disaster
Courtnie said:
I love beautiful disaster clothing! I was married to an addict. I survived it all with my four sons. I would buy clothing all the time when I can afford it. I made though over 20 years of abuse and his addiction. I feel I’m not so in the wrong. I have three amazing son’s! None of them will talk to him and call me almost every day.
Courtnie said:
I love beautiful disaster clothing! I was married to an addict. I survived it all with my four sons. I the clothing all the time when I can afford it. I made though over 20 years of abuse and his addiction. I feel I’m not so in the wrong. I have three amazing son’s! None of them will talk to him and call me almost every day.
Jessica Osborne said:
I get the hurt. You were doing everything to survive and take care of your child. Your morals kept you loyal and through your constant need to appease him, you lost yourself. I’m so happy you see the light again!
Smilie 675 said:
Growing up We were Abused mentally, physically & Sexually..
One awful thing after another.. Than skipping ahead, I finally married the man i thought was my world 181/2 yrs later .. Cheated slammed me a round, have head concussion, my son used to pull him off me.. Dug in my face so badly he had ahold of my jaw bone all he had to do was pull and he would of broke my jaw, ripped fingernails & toe nails off .. said he was going to bury one of our children in the backyard.. so I slept with a machete on my bed side . No way I’d let him hurt my kids ! ( I wanted to defend myself but I was so Afraid to police would take my kids ..
**I wish I could of just left but being a stay at home mom putting my heart & soul into my family raising our kids.. I didn’t have money.. no where to go .. in the same timeframe my Mom ( who was my best friend, father and loving mom ) got diagnosed with Cancer so bad within 3 1/2 weeks i wiped away her last tears as I told her how beautiful and Loved she is! Within a little bit of time ( months ) I was told I was going to be a Nana I was so Excited !! However, sad I helped my son & daughter in law deliver their still born.. The pain was too much seeing the pain and fear in my son & daughter in law was way too much..
I Lost so much in such a short amount of time of time.. I could breathe.. I couldn’t hardly focus ..
Got out, got a divorce, soul searched myself to heal the Anger and Rage I felt .. Learned to Love Myself..
Thats why I Love the old And New Phoenix .. Out of the Ashes I Rise❤️🔥
And My fire inside me burns brighter than the fire around me ❤️🔥
And Perfectly Imperfect ❤️🩹 ❤️
Tons more to say but I suck at this..
Becca said:
Thank you for sharing your story. I was with a very alcoholic man in my late 20s and he passed away from the same thing at age 32. He was an aspiring chef too, ironically. I’m sorry that you went through that but so happy that you made it out alive.
Colleen said:
I am a recovering addict. I spent many years of my life, living and running in the streets. I have not that person today the whole entire beautiful disaster. Clothing line is relatable to me. There is basically a shirt or a hoodie for every single day of the week.
Maryjo said:
After 26 years of marriage my ex husband decided to cheat on me with a girl younger than my oldest daughter. He cheated for two years while I was trying to save my marriage. I had to say I did everything I could to try and save it before I could let go. He married the girl (20 yrs younger) exactly 2 weeks after our divorce was final. They now have two children, one of which was born during our marriage. I found Beautiful Disaster during all of the mess and ordered. That has been since 2021 and I still get compliments. I always throw out the website. My faith was the only thing that got me through.