Trauma
Understanding trauma, its effects, and practical steps toward healing and recovery.
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Remembering Little Things
It’s weird when little things trigger memories of trauma—especially when, at the time, you had no idea what you were experiencing was abuse. Tonight, as I was getting ready to brush my teeth, the tiniest amount of toothpaste came out of the tube, and that was all it took to take me back to 1999. We had only recently gotten engaged when the little things started. One of them was how I needed to save money anywhere I could. I was already living in government apartments after graduating with my degree because he told me that since he was living with his parents to save money, I needed to be…
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Elizabeth Smart Documentary on Netflix
I’ve been watching the Elizabeth Smart documentary on Netflix, and while her story is extraordinary and horrific in ways I will never claim to understand, it stirred something in me that I couldn’t ignore. Not because our situations are the same — they are not. Not even close.But because watching how long it took for the justice system to respond to abuse at all reminded me of something painfully familiar. The waiting. The delays.The way harm can be acknowledged and still not acted on with any real urgency. That’s the part that hits close to home. I’ve been in court for years now dealing with my ex after everything he…
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When the Justice System Becomes the Weapon
I don’t think people understand how broken the justice system is until they’re forced to live inside it. I’ve been in court with my ex for over two years. Not because we’re divorcing — we’ve been divorced since 2022.Not because our children are minors — they are 22 and 19 (almost 20). And yet, here we are. I am being accused of parental alienation, of not getting bills switched into my name within 30 days, and of being ordered to repay a $20,000 lump sum I was awarded in the divorce. Parental alienation of adult children. That alone should have stopped this at the door. Instead, the court has allowed…
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Still Being Watched-When Moving On Isn’t Enough
I was going to pick up pizza. That’s it. Nothing major. Just a quick errand on a quiet Sunday evening. My son is out of town in my car, so I was driving his car—one my ex-husband and his new wife wouldn’t recognize unless they were actively watching. And they were. As I pulled to the light at the end of my road, I noticed their car behind me. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw her—his wife—holding up her phone, snapping photos of the vehicle I was in. Documenting. At first, I told myself maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was overreacting. But when I turned onto the…
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Three Years Divorced — and Still Not Free
Three years after leaving a toxic marriage, I'm still navigating the emotional aftermath even post divorce. The sixth day of court was scheduled for this past Wednesday. Six. Let that sink in.
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I’d Rather Be Beaten
Sometimes the bruises you can’t see hurt the most. Emotional abuse cuts deeper, leaving scars on your heart and mind. But healing is possible—one step at a time.
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Holidays and Narcissists
Holidays should be a time of joy, but with a narcissist, they become a battlefield. Learn how to protect your peace, set boundaries, and reclaim your holiday happiness.
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The Power of Journaling for Healing: How Writing Can Transform Your Life
Journaling isn’t just putting words on paper—it’s a doorway to healing, clarity, and self-discovery. Discover how a simple journal can transform your life.
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Deer in Headlights: How Narcissistic Manipulation Leaves You Paralyzed
Feeling frozen, confused, and unable to respond? It’s the "deer in headlights" effect of narcissistic manipulation—leaving you paralyzed by their toxic tactics.
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Effects of Gaslighting
Gaslighting doesn’t start with fire—it starts with doubt. Little by little, your truth gets rewritten until you no longer trust your own mind. But the moment you name it, you start to take your power back.
