Yazmin Oukhellou tells of the devastating year 2022 in which she survived the crash

Yazmin Oukhellou has opened up about a harrowing 2022 as she escaped the devastating car crash that killed her boyfriend Jake McLean.

‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star Yazmin, 28, was caught up in the horror smash hit Turkey in July this year when Jake’s blue Mercedes E-Class sedan crashed off a mountainous road into a ravine in Bodrum.

Reality star Yazmin was rushed to hospital after being badly injured in the passenger seat and she took to Instagram on New Year’s Eve to share an encouraging post about her “self-healing” while opening up about her struggles since the accident.

Tough year: Yazmin Oukhellou, 28, has opened up about a harrowing 2022 as she escaped the devastating car crash that killed her boyfriend Jake McLean

She wrote: “This year was the year that changed my life forever. I went through something I shouldn’t have done.

“I’ve learned that I’m not as weak as I thought I was. I’ve learned the importance of family and good friends, and I’ve learned that every single day is just a blessing.

“There are nights I still cry myself to sleep and days I put my phone on airplane mode and hide from the world and that’s fine.

Accident: The Only Way Is Essex star Yazmin was caught up in the horror banger in Turkey this July when Jake’s blue Mercedes E-Class sedan crashed off a mountainous road

“There are days when I dress up and post here to make everyone think I’m doing great and living my best life. And you know what that’s okay too.

“When you are on a self-healing journey, do what you think is right and to be blunt, fuck what other people have to say on the subject. Live life for YOU because this is your story and nobody else’s.

“I had so many people judging me, giving opinions, making up stories, and I used to care, but since I almost lost my life I couldn’t give anymore.

Crash falls out: Reality star Yazmin was rushed to hospital after suffering a serious injury while sitting in the front passenger seat

Throwback: Yazmin shared a series of moments from the months since the crash on Instagram on Saturday as she looks back

Healing: Yazmin said she was on a journey of “self-healing” as she shared a picture of herself at a doctor’s appointment

“What I’ve realized is that life is way too short and these people making comments probably wouldn’t even work if they were in your situation right now.

“So make a pact with yourself for 2023 to live your life for YOU. love yourself more Take time for yourself. LEARN to enjoy your own company. All of this will STRENGTHEN you so that you don’t seek reassurance from insignificant people or even flinch when their unkind or untrue words whisper.

“For my part, I will live 2023 as if it were my last year on earth. I will do what makes me happy. I will truncate/block/delete anyone that isn’t for my happiness and I will give ZERO second chances.

Building strength: The star included some clips of her workout in a short video, while writing about her recovery from the crash in the caption

“So this is for all of you who got out of bed this morning despite everything you’ve been through. Those of you who put on a smile and post and pretend you’re doing great. Those of you who just fake it ’til you make it. Because at the end of the day, that’s what we all just do.

“Proud of you and wishing you the best in 2023 and remember that ‘it’s all in the stars.’ Dear Yaz.”

Yazmin – who now suffers from PTSD, nightmares, flashbacks and panic attacks – is now receiving therapy for her anxiety after thinking she would never get over the ordeal.

Strength: “When you are on a self-healing journey, do what you think is right and to put it bluntly, shit what others have to say on the subject,” she wrote (pictured at the Pride of Britain Awards in October)

It was claimed the couple had a blazing argument at a nightclub just before the crash, which Jake’s mother, Anita Walsh, told Turkish authorities, who she believes may have played a role in her son’s death.

This led to a bitter argument between Yazmin and Anita, who banned the reality star from Jake’s funeral in Essex.

Jake’s secret friend Chloe Hennessey, 27, a beauty therapist, was invited to the funeral and posted a series of touching photos of the couple on Instagram to pay tribute to the man she will “love forever”.

Healing: It comes after Yazmin shared a picture showing her scarred arm after injuring it while trying to escape the horrific car crash

Yazmin previously shared images of her scarred arm after injuring it while trying to escape the wrecked vehicle.

Last month, she shared a poignant message about scars on Instagram, writing, “Every scar is a reminder not only that you were hurt, but that you survived.”

She’s also previously spoken out about how she desperately tried to wake Jake up after the crash in Turkey, but he didn’t respond.

In a raw interview, she said she was “torn with grief” for Jake and opened up about the terrible trollings she’s received from people for moving on with their lives.

She told The Sun: “I tried to wake Jake up but he didn’t wake up. I tried to sound the horn with my foot but couldn’t reach it.

“We were in the middle of nowhere so it wasn’t good to yell for help. I knew I had to get out of the car and somehow I found the strength to free my arm by lifting it with my left hand, moving my right arm up and letting it fall back down for what felt like an eternity, until I ripped it free.

Fatal: Businessman Jake, 33, was killed instantly on July 3 when his blue Mercedes E-Class sedan crashed off a mountainous road into a ravine in Bodrum, Turkey