Corrinne’s Story
I thought control was the answer. It wasn’t. Balance gave me my life back.



At 19, I felt completely lost.
I was having suicidal thoughts, battling an eating disorder, and struggling to accept who I was. I had no boundaries, no voice, and no idea that I was even allowed to say “no.” When COVID hit, the world stopped, and something in me decided to start again. I chose to use that time to fight for a new life. That choice led me to Destiny Haven.
Before Destiny, my life was full of chaos. Looking back, I realise I never truly felt safe or comforted. For years, I binged in secret because of the shame I felt around food and my body. Just before arriving at Destiny, that shame shifted into a need for control. I became strict with myself, obsessed with what I ate, and cut out things like dairy completely. That’s when my mum told me about Destiny Haven.
The best part of Destiny was how much I learned. Destiny taught me balance. It helped me see that health isn’t about control, it’s about listening to your body with kindness. I began to unlearn the extremes and find a middle ground, something I’d never had before. I became fascinated by how the brain works, how trauma shapes us, and how healing is possible through neuroplasticity. That one word changed everything for me. It gave me hope. Knowing the brain can change meant that I could change too. The 18 months weren’t easy, but I stayed because I knew I was building a future I wanted to live in.
I graduated in 2021, and life didn’t magically get easier. But I finally had the tools to live it. I learned how to budget, cook, clean, and show up for myself. I no longer panicked over the basics of adult life. I started to take ownership of my days. And I found that I actually enjoyed it.
I was in a rough place, but something about what she said stayed with me. I made the choice to apply. That decision changed everything.
Destiny didn’t magically heal me. What it gave me was structure, work ethic, and the safety to face pain I had buried. It taught me how to be tough. I learned that blisters and bruises—physical, emotional and spiritual—are part of growing. It’s not supposed to be easy. But because I didn’t give up, the hard days don’t scare me now. I’ve lived through worse. I’m still here.
Letting go of control was one of the hardest things for me. I had to say yes to uncomfortable things. I had to surrender habits and patterns that felt familiar, even when they were hurting me. I had to choose what was hard in the short term to build a future that would last.
Destiny didn’t magically fix me. It gave me the tools to fight for the life I wanted.
Now, I live with my amazing partner and our two dogs. I work from home, and I continue weekly counselling and psychology for CPTSD and ADHD. I’ve learned what environments support my mental health and which ones don’t. I don’t try to earn my place in people’s lives anymore. I choose who I allow in. I choose peace. Destiny also sparked something unexpected in me. A passion for mental health. I’m writing a book for teenage girls—something I wish I had when I was younger. I hope to study psychology and help others the way I’ve been helped.
If I could leave you with one thing, it’s this: You deserve a balloon. You deserve to be celebrated. You deserve a life that is whole and honest and full. Even when it’s hard. Especially then.
Because if I can change, so can you. And it’s worth it. Every step.
I stopped trying to earn love. Now I choose peace, and I choose myself.