Have You Ever Been HOMELESS?

It’s absolutely crazy, how quickly time is passing us by. Already, it’s the 19th of July. Just two weeks ago, I was celebrating one of the best days I can remember, my birthday. Today, I’m simply trying to survive. It definitely gives a different perspective on how fast life’s circumstances can change. 

Yesterday,  while speaking with a long time acquaintance, she stated, “I never thought you would ever be in this situation”. My response was, “neither did I, but life happens. As we conversed further,  I realized she was not only referring to my current living arrangements.  She was referring to everything that has taken place in my life over the last seven years, which resulted in my current situation. She was seeing my situation in a negative light. She fails to understand how I am viewing my unsettled state of living, for what it is…life…temporary…an opportunity. I find the positives in it.

Although I am homeless…displaced…in transition…I see this as a blessing in the making, despite the extreme difficulty and traumatic experiences. While this acquaintance was willing to give me money for a night in a hotel, my choice is to fight through the discomforts of my temporary arrangements, and find the positives in a negative situation.

As I’ve been navigating through the past six days, rather than feel sorry for myself,  I empathize with those who are living on the street or in shelters. We are all homeless; however, my situation is slightly better than theirs. What people fail to realize, is that homelessness doesn’t necessarily mean “on the street”. Homelessness doesn’t always look like park benches and cardboard signs. Like my current situation, it can be sleeping in a spare room or on a sofa. Homelessness may look like sleeping from house to house. It can look like living in a hotel, or being reduced to renting a room, and/or sharing a space with people you dont know. Homelessness can be found in a shelter or transitional housing. There are various levels to being homeless, but nonetheless, it brings with it, stress, mental anguish, embarrassment, judgment, and various other complications. The bottom line is…homelessness is a traumatic experience.

Being in my situation,  I realize that the reason far too many, individuals, are homeless, is because of the lack of knowledge about what homelessness really is. We cannot fix what we are unaware of.

My Facebook friend, and someone I know personally, posted : (paraphrase) that he hears people saying they are homeless, while sleeping on a couch. To him, homeless has always meant, no shelter, so these people aren’t really homeless.  Unfortunately, his comprehension of being homeless, was, and is, incorrect.

As I’ve stated numerous times throughout this journey, homelessness means not having a stable residence to call home. Whether temporary or long term, renting a room, sleeping in a basement,  on a friends floor, couch, etc., constituents homelessness.  Even when in transition, not having a stable living environment during the period of moving from one residence to another, especially without the means to pay for adequate shelter, is homelessness. Thinking about it from this point of view, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HOMELESS for a day…week…month…longer?

Because individuals tie certain criteria to what they are used to seeing, they often mislabel the situations that others experience. Furthermore, the embarrassment associated with being homeless prevents some individuals from labeling themselves as homeless; preventing them from receiving proper assistance.

Google reference:

“Homelessness, in its most basic definition, means lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes living in places not meant for human habitation, like streets or abandoned buildings, or residing in emergency or transitional shelters. Additionally, individuals who are temporarily staying with others due to a lack of housing can also be considered homeless.“

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Literal Homelessness:

“This refers to individuals who sleep in places not designed for human habitation, such as streets, parks, cars, or abandoned buildings.”

Shelters and Transitional Housing:

“Homelessness also includes those living in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs.“

Doubled Up/Staying with Others:

“Individuals who are temporarily staying with family or friends because they have no other housing options are also considered homeless.”

Imminent Risk of Homelessness:

“In some cases, people within a short timeframe (e.g., 14 days) of losing their housing and lacking other options may also be considered homeless.”

Other Situations:

“Homelessness can also encompass those living in motels or hotels due to a lack of other housing options.“

The purpose of this post, is to clarify some misconceptions. Far too often, many individuals pass judgement without comprehending the full scope of a situation. It is imperative to listen, and attempt to understand someone else’s plight.  Without doing so, empathizing with their plight is nearly impossible. The assumption that we all have the same circumstances and resources, make it easy for those in need, to become lost in the system; resulting in homelessness.

It’s time to open our minds to the reality, that just because renting rooms, sleeping on sofas and cars, staying in motels, etc., has become commonplace, it doesn’t make it healthy or normal.  THESE SITUATIONS MAKES ONE HOMELESS.

Finally, I came to terms with the fact that I AM HOMELESS. Although my first experience with homelessness wasn’t to this extreme,  I was, in fact, homeless.  I find no shame or self-pity in my situation. Instead, I see a testimony.  I see an opportunity for further healing. I see the ability for growth. I see the trajectory of my life leading to prosperity.  I see the opportunity to serve others and share my experiences. I see God leading me further into my purpose.

As the days, weeks, and months pass, I will do all I can to remain humble, and see the positives in each situation I face. Although inconvenient and uncomfortable, I see the purpose in all things. I will continue to pray daily. My prayers are not for THINGS, but of THANKS for each day that I am protected and given a new opportunity to live, laugh, love, and enjoy each day that God gives me. In spite of everything, I have JOY.

Whatever your situation may be, lift up your head and proudly push through until you get to the other side. This test is simply a transition into your greater. Keep believing,  and watch God work. 
HAVE AN AMAZING DAY ON PURPOSE,  AND BE SURE TO LOVE YOU ❤️!

GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!

Dani💋❤️

Mind, Body,  Spirit

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!!

Defy the Stigma!