Helena Bragg

The Weight of Injustice When life strips everything away—a parent, a relationship, a sense of career stability—the first instinct is to scream at the unfairness of it all. We expend massive energy wishing things were different, grieving a version of the future that no longer exists. For Thomas Dajer of Yes Theory, the last few years weren't just a rough patch; they were a total dismantling. His mother, Helena Bragg, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, his business entered survival mode, and a painful breakup left him adrift. The hard truth is that life isn't fair. Resisting this reality only causes more anguish. Accepting the injustice is the first step toward survival. Choosing the Darkness Most of us run from pain. We numb it with work, substances, or avoidance. But there is a massive fork in the road when the pressure becomes crushing. You can let the bitterness turn you into a stranger, or you can face the darkness head-on. If you don't visit the darkness yourself, it will eventually come to visit you as a guest that never leaves. This is about emotional alchemy—harnessing the raw, volatile energy of anger and powerlessness and transforming it into a catalyst for growth. By letting the tears run and admitting you aren't okay, you gain the strength to stop running. The Self-Care Paradox When you are in the service of a dying loved one or a struggling team, focusing on your own health feels selfish. In reality, neglecting yourself is the fastest way to crumble. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and physical movement isn't about vanity; it’s about maintaining the energy required to serve others. Health is a foundational source of energy. Without it, anxiety skyrockets and the ability to stay present vanishes. Mastering the basics of self-care provides the resilience needed to stand back up after being knocked down by grief. Escaping the Emotional Cave Humans weren't meant to navigate tragedy in isolation. Pain often drives us into an emotional cave for self-protection, but we frequently forget how to find the way out. We need a tribe—people who still know where the light is to pull us back into the world. Admitting you are lost is a sign of profound strength, not weakness. By being vulnerable and honest about your pain, you allow others to hold you when you cannot hold yourself. Progress isn't linear, but taking one uncertain step at a time, even in the fog, eventually leads to a life rebuilt by your own hands.