Maisie Williams reflects on her childhood trauma while being unapologetically emotional

Trauma is a complex and deeply personal experience, one that often leaves individuals struggling to find their voice. It affects everyone in different ways and people find their own solutions when it comes to healing from trauma. Maisie Williams, the "Game of Thrones" actress, recently opened up about her childhood trauma and her journey towards healing. In a candid and moving TikTok video shared by Steven Bartlett—who goes by @steven on TikTok–Williams talks about the courage it took for her to deal with traumatic experiences of childhood.

During the interview, Williams shared some details about the distressing childhood trauma she experienced due to her abusive father. She described how her father "indoctrinated" her against her mother, likening the situation to being part of a cult. She shares how a teacher's intervention marked a turning point where she started acknowledging her trauma. She was taken to the staff room and asked, "What's wrong? Have you eaten breakfast?" It was a moment where someone cared enough to inquire and delve deeper into her well-being. "I do think it's important because I had so many people who loved and cared about me so much, but I'd never been asked the right questions where I could really say what was wrong," Maisie reflects.

For Williams, the moment her mother came to school to pick her up marked the beginning of confronting the trauma that had long remained hidden. She found herself torn between wanting to deny the problems and being forced to face the painful truth. The revelation was challenging as it meant acknowledging that the things she had been taught were not necessarily right. "It was really, really hard because I still wanted to fight and say no, like, these things aren't bad," she recalls, illustrating the internal struggle that often accompanies confronting one's trauma. Her journey reveals that healing is not a linear process but a series of battles that ultimately lead to growth.

One of the most striking moments in her story is her realization that the pain she endured was not inherently about her. She shares her journey of learning not to take things personally, recognizing that the negative experiences she faced were not a reflection of her worth. "What if I said that it was not because of me that that happened? If I wasn't there, it would have been something for someone else," she shares. This perspective shift highlights the importance of separating oneself from the trauma and understanding that it could have affected anyone in similar circumstances.

As Williams continues to heal, she demonstrates admirable empathy towards her father, recognizing that there is more to his story than what meets the eye. She contemplates what might have shaped him and what led to his actions. This empathy, while it doesn't excuse his behavior, allows her to step back and view him more objectively. "What happened to you when you were a kid? Who were your parents? Is there something that you were always like when you were a kid, did you, like, pull the legs of bugs or like, you know, did this, did you learn this?" Maisie says. Her questions highlight a deeper understanding of the complexity of human behavior and the potential factors that contributed to her father's actions.

She shares a newfound perspective on her perpetrator, viewing him as a subject worthy of exploration rather than a source of personal pain. She contemplates the possibility of a documentary that delves into his life, acknowledging that it is a healthier way to think of him. "It is sort of like a nicer way to think of him than, you know, as like, someone who doesn't love me or like me or like, whatever," Maisie asserts. Her ability to separate herself from her trauma and view her perpetrator with curiosity is a powerful testament to her healing journey.

While her whole journey is nothing short of inspiring, one thing a lot of people noticed while watching this video is that she did not apologize for her tears. In a space where we often feel silly to cry or feel emotions publically. @annaheisey commented, "I love that she didn’t apologize for her tears." Another user @lolak333 while applauding her said, "I’m so proud of her for not apologizing for her tears [or] her pain." A lot of people supported her and complimented her resilience as well.