Doubt does not always come from within, sometimes it is taught.
Dear Survivor,
One of the most painful truths survivors share with me is this: “I don’t know how to trust myself anymore.” That feeling does not come out of nowhere. It is built, piece by piece, through patterns of gaslighting. When someone repeatedly denies your reality, minimizes your experiences, or twists your words until you question your own memory, perception, and instincts.
Gaslighting is not a misunderstanding. It is a tactic of power.
It trains you to second-guess your feelings and rely on the abuser’s version of events. Over time, many survivors learn to silence themselves and look to others for permission to feel, speak, or decide. That loss of voice is devastating. But here is the truth I want you to hold close: your intuition is still there. It may be quiet right now, but it is not gone.
You can learn to hear yourself again.
Rebuilding self-trust takes time, and it starts with honoring the moments when something feels off, even if you cannot explain why. If you are ready to reconnect with your inner voice, The Recovery Roadmap is a resource I recommend. It offers structure and support to help you move from confusion to clarity, one gentle step at a time.
You were never too broken to begin again.
Blessings and healing,
Catrina
#narcissisticabuse #domesticviolence #DV #IPV #abuser #toxicrelationships #abusivepartners #emotionalabuse #narcissist #survivorstories #healingjourney #traumarecovery #relationshipabuse #abusesurvivor #mentalhealth #healingafterabuse #coercivecontrol