Survivors’ Anthem Series # 46: “Human” by Christina Perri
- Shannon Brown
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Remembering That Survival Doesn't Mean We Stop Being Human
Some survivor anthems are about courage.
Some are about healing.
And some reach into places in our hearts that we didn't even know still needed healing.
This is Survivors’ Anthem # 46:
“Human” by Christina Perri
I still remember the first time I heard this song. Within moments, I was crying. Not because I was sad. But because it spoke to something deep inside me that had been waiting to be acknowledged.
One simple truth:
I am only human.
We Put Impossible Expectations on Ourselves
When you've survived trauma, it's easy to feel like you always have to be strong.
Strong for your family.
Strong for your friends.
Strong for your children.
Strong for everyone around you.
People often call survivors resilient.
And while that's true... Sometimes that word comes with pressure.
Pressure to always have it together.
Pressure to always be okay.
Pressure to keep carrying everyone else.
But resilience doesn't mean we stop being human.
I Have Survived...
I survived childhood abuse.
I survived domestic violence.
I survived manipulation.
I survived trauma.
I survived years of trying to understand what happened to me.
And today...I am thriving in ways I never thought possible.
I became an author.
An advocate.
A speaker.
Someone who shares hope with other survivors.
But none of that means I don't still have difficult days.
It doesn't mean I never cry.
It doesn't mean anxiety disappears.
It doesn't mean healing is finished.
Because no matter how far I've come...
I'm still human.
Strength Includes Vulnerability
One of the things I love most about this song is that it gives us permission to admit we have limits.
To admit we're tired. To admit we're hurting. To admit we need help.
Our culture often celebrates people who never seem to break.
But I don't think that's real strength.
Real strength is allowing yourself to be honest.
It's saying,
"I'm doing my best today."
And letting that be enough.
Survivors Don't Have to Be Superheroes
Sometimes survivors feel like they have to prove their healing.
Like they have to demonstrate that everything is okay now.
But healing isn't about pretending. Healing is about authenticity.
Some days we feel strong. Some days we feel exhausted. Some days we celebrate. Some days we grieve.
Every one of those days is part of healing.
None of them make us failures.
They simply make us human.
A Song That Gave Me Permission
When I heard "Human" for the first time, I felt something I hadn't expected.
Relief.
Relief that I didn't have to keep pretending I was invincible.
Relief that someone understood how exhausting it can be to constantly try to carry the weight of the world.
Relief that vulnerability wasn't weakness.
It was honesty.
And honesty is where healing grows.
A Thank You
To Christina Perri, Thank you for writing a song that reminds us we don't have to earn our humanity.
Thank you for reminding survivors that we are allowed to have limits.
Allowed to cry.
Allowed to rest.
Allowed to heal at our own pace.
Your music has given comfort to countless people, myself included.
What This Anthem Means to Me
For me, this anthem represents grace.
Grace for the younger version of myself who carried far more than any child should.
Grace for the adult who is still learning.
Grace for the survivor who is still healing.
Because surviving doesn't mean we never struggle again.
It simply means we kept going.
And through it all...
We remain beautifully, imperfectly, wonderfully human.
What's Next in the Survivors' Anthem Series
Every song in this series represents another piece of healing.
Some songs gave me courage.
Some gave me hope.
Some gave me words for emotions I couldn't explain.
This anthem gave me something different.
It gave me permission.
Permission to stop expecting perfection from myself.
Permission to simply be human.
And maybe...that's one of the greatest gifts healing can offer.
🛡️ Survivor Support & Safety Awareness
Part of healing is also finding ways to feel safe again.
That's why I'm proud to be in collaboration with Hootie Security Alarms. 💜
As a survivor of childhood abuse and domestic violence, personal safety is incredibly important to me.
💜 For every 4 Hooties I sell, 1 is donated to a domestic violence shelter.
Visit gethootie.com and use code JANE for 10% off your order.
Because everyone deserves to feel safe.
💜 Continue the Journey
The Survivors' Anthem Series is more than a collection of songs, it's a journey through survival, healing, and hope.
📖 Read Because of Jane and discover the story that inspired this series.
🦋 Learn about The Jane Project and join a community where survivors remind one another that healing is possible.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can say isn't "I'm strong."
Sometimes it's simply...
"I'm human."
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