I had a therapy session today that went really well. We focused on the topic of reframing and thought challenging. I never really practiced my therapy skills before (I'll admit) but now that I have to face a toxic person I will use all the skills I have. Besides this, I often undermine myself and my past successes. Though I call myself an abuse survivor I don't have the best self esteem.
Reframing has taught me that situations depend on how you look at them. Yes I take reality into account and recognize that the toxic person will be there and that may lead to a PTSD response. Though this is true, my therapist also said that anxiety is there to tell us something but we can acknowledge it is there but also acknowledge that there are other goals. Like mine is to speak my truth.
Shortly after the abuse came to light I was abandoned at a motel for a week. I wasn't sure if I could get through it at the time. I was afraid I would be hurt again. By the grace of God I managed to survive. I got through it even when I thought I couldn't. I survived the abuse in general and that's something. Yet I have to reframe my anxious thoughts because for me, that leads to spiraling.
I can look back on those past experiences and say to myself I can do hard things. Confronting this particular toxic person will be triggering but it's just another hard thing I have to do. I'm sure there are hard things that you've overcome too.
Never degrade yourself, be proud of your accomplishments. Reframe if you must. As always stay safe. What are you proud of? There's always something to celebrate. It doesn't have to be anything huge, whatever you accomplished is good enough. I believe in all of you. Thanks for believing in me. I appreciate it.
#SexualAbuse #EmotionalAbuse #PTSD #Perspective #Therapy #wisdom #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Hope #celebrate #Life #abusesurvivor #MightyTogether