Leaving was not just about heartbreak. It was about survival.
Dear Survivor,
A woman once told me that after she left, people treated it like a typical breakup. They asked if she was dating again. They encouraged her to get over it. What they did not see were the nightmares, the triggers, the way her hands still trembled at sudden noises. They did not see the years it took to even consider trusting someone again.
Because she did not leave a partner. She escaped a pattern of control.
Abuse disguises itself as love. It convinces you to stay, to doubt yourself, to try harder. When you leave, you are not just walking away from a person. You are walking away from a version of yourself who was conditioned to endure pain in silence. That is not a breakup. That is a breakthrough.
You are not starting over. You are starting free.
Healing after abuse is not about moving on quickly. It is about rebuilding your sense of safety. It is about honoring the courage it took to leave and learning how to live without apology. You do not owe anyone a timeline. You do not owe anyone your story.
This part of your life is about you.
If others do not understand, that does not make your journey less valid. The Red Flags of Abuse Freebie can help you and your support system see your story more clearly. This was not just a breakup. It was your return to yourself.
You deserve more than survival. You deserve peace.
Blessings and healing,
Catrina
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