Healing is often marketed as a shiny product — candles, yoga mats, mantras, “good vibes only.” But for those of us who have been gutted by reality, survival doesn’t come wrapped in pastel colors.
I am Charlotte Grude, founder of Ucique — and my healing came with cracked bones, near-death encounters, men who nearly destroyed me, and addictions that wanted to finish the job. To pretend otherwise would be another lie.
The Challenge of Staying Authentic
- Telling the ugly truth. That I was abused, nearly killed, and left in ruins.
- Admitting relapse and failure. Healing isn’t linear, and pretending otherwise is self-betrayal.
- Resisting spiritual bypassing. No amount of incense can erase scars.
Healing Through Art and Fashion
My work uses print-on-demand clothing to create sustainably without overproduction — getting designs to people worldwide. Sometimes I alter my own drawings with AI to distort, exaggerate, and push them into new grotesque forms. In between, I release limited editions of my hand-drawn artwork.
This is how trauma recovery clothing became sustainable fashion with meaning: wearable honesty for people who don’t fit in.
Tips for Healing Without Compromise
- Don’t decorate the truth. If it’s ugly, let it be ugly. That’s where art begins.
- Use creativity as compost. Shred the worst moments and grow from them — words, designs, AI-twisted art.
- Find your survival tool. Mine are dark humor and grotesque creation.
- Stop aiming for “perfect healing.” There’s no finish line, only honesty.
- Wear your scars. In your words, your tattoos, or the stories you choose to share.
Join the Discussion
What’s one lie you stopped telling yourself to actually heal? How do you keep your recovery authentic?