• I’d Rather Be Beaten

    I’d rather be beaten. I know that must sound like the craziest statement ever, but hear me out. When people hear the word abuse, they expect to see bruises, cuts, swollen places, broken bones, anything that is VISIBLE.  Abuse is not always VISIBLE.  Sometimes, abuse comes in the form of mental, emotional, and psychological abuse.  When this type of abuse occurs, it isn’t always obvious to others, or even the victim, what is happening. The destruction that occurs manifests in the form of sadness, depression, anxiety, craziness, lashing out, drastic mood swings, chronic fatigue, depleted immunity, weight gain or loss, isolation, memory loss, brain fog…the list goes on and on. It took…

  • Holidays + Narcissists

    We had a wonderful, uneventful Christmas this year. The kids and I celebrated the holiday with family, friends, and significant others. This year, the kids chose not to celebrate Christmas with their father. After almost a year of not speaking to or responding to his texts, they decided that neither wanted to be around him and wouldn’t see him for Christmas.    At Midnight, their father messaged them Merry Christmas. Then, he never once reached out to them the entire day. He celebrated with his AP and family and pretty much pretended they didn’t exist, as has become standard with him. My thing is, as the child, it is their…

  • Continue

    Continue

    There are still days that I question why I’ve had to endure everything that I have. Why was I abused for as long as I was before finally seeking and finding freedom? Why am I still not totally free of the monster, my ex? Why do I still have to deal with so many things, feeling like I can’t catch a break? Ever. And why are the burdens and stresses around me so heavy sometimes that I feel that I can’t breathe? And then, I will see a post, quote, or something that reminds me. I wasn’t put through what I was because I’m less of a person. I don’t…

  • Control

    Control

    I assumed that after divorce, the control and manipulation and toxicity with my ex would end.  I think the important thing I want to share with those who may be in mentally, emotionally, and psychologically abusive situations is that you must go no contact. Now, we have two children, 17 and 20. I have 4 months left of having to share certain info regarding our 17 year old. However, I have him blocked on everything. I have told him to only reach out if there is an emergency.  The kids live with me and honestly, there is no reason for him to contact me. He is desperate for the control…

  • Blame-Shifting

    Narcissistic Blame-Shifting

    In relationships with narcissists, blame-shifting is a manipulative tactic frequently employed to maintain control and evade responsibility. It is a cunning maneuver where the narcissist deflects blame onto others, distorting reality to avoid accountability. In this blog post, we explore the insidious nature of narcissistic blame-shifting, its impact on victims, and strategies to navigate this challenging dynamic. Understanding Blame-Shifting:Blame-shifting is a common strategy used by narcissists to protect their self-image and maintain a sense of superiority. When confronted with their actions, instead of accepting responsibility, they redirect blame onto others, making them the scapegoat for their own behaviors or shortcomings. This tactic can cause confusion, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil for…