freedom

I have been in recovery from alcohol and drugs for almost 4 years now. I also struggled with anorexia and bulimia for years. I am now in recovery for everything, and life is getting better day by day.

I finally took a step back to see what everyone else saw. I have journaled regularly for years, and going back through them has been heartbreaking. A couple of months ago, I saw some pictures of me that actually scared me. I struggle witg body dysmorphia and have for a long time. Seeing those pictures, all I kept thinking was "This is not me, i don't look like that.' But it was me. I made a deal with myself that day that I was going to use the 12 steps in the same way I did for my addiction to help myself. I already knew what to do because I have already been in treatment multiple times. I started out slowly eating small but nutrition packed things, and eventually added til I was up to a safe BMI. I am "in the clear" now because my BMI is in the normal area. But that doesn't mean I'm healed and recovered fully. I still struggle. I have my days. But as long as I take it one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, I get through the toughest parts and can continue on with my life. I still don't like pictures and probably never will, but I'm ok with that as long as I can continue this journey of yoga, meditation, meetings, and processing my emotions instead of pushing them down and using negative things to cope. #MentalHealth #EatingDisorderRecovery #AnorexiaNervosa #freedom

I often wondered if the outside world was as bad as the life I was living. I didn’t disclose the abuse until after it started. I was silenced by shame and fear. Now I am ready to share my horror with the world. The monster I dealt with didn’t live under the bed or in the closet. He walked around, worked, acted as a family man. So much so I trusted him and now looking back, I wonder what made me trust him. I was a child when the #SexualAbuse started. I was molested on a daily or near daily basis. My body didn’t feel like my own. I felt awkward, dirty, confused, and used. The molestation continued for years. I kept it a secret mostly because I wasn’t sure if my experiences qualified as abuse. I wasn’t being beaten or starved so I didn’t classify being touched inappropriately as abusive. By the time I was sexually assaulted by that monster I had grown used to the abuse. Though the #SexualAssault made me fear for my life there was something familiar about it. Like all the other times I was abused. Not to mention the onslaught of #EmotionalAbuse I was subjected to by another monster. I was psychologically torn down. I began to accept the abuse and believe all their lies. I believed I wasn’t good enough, that I deserved the abuse, that I was a bad person and that sex was a bad thing and yet my worth depended on it. After leaving the abusive situation in 2019 my life went further downhill. Financial losses, no relationship with the family, self harm and a suicide attempt. I was later diagnosed with #PTSD which changed things. But after I met my now fiancé things changed for the better. My life is more stable, healthier and while I am doing intensive therapy to work out the trauma, I can say each day gets better. I have found someone that loves me despite the trauma and a family I can call my own. So while I may struggle with the effects of being abused, I can say healing is possible. It just takes time.

I encourage you to share your story if you feel comfortable. This post has been truly liberating. Thank you for allowing me to post here. My voice and your voice have power! I will no longer be ruled by fear and shame. That belongs on the monsters that abused me. I appreciate the feedback.

#ChildhoodAbuse

I often wondered if the outside world was as bad as the life I was living. I didn't disclose the abuse until after it started. I was silenced by shame and fear. Now, I am ready to share my horror with the world. The monster that I dealt with didn't live under the bed or hide in the closet. He walked around, worked, acted as a family man. So much so that I trusted him and now looking back, I wonder what made me trust him. I was a child when the #SexualAbuse started. I was molested on a daily or near daily basis. My body didn't feel like my own. I felt awkward, dirty, confused and used. The molestation continued for years. I kept it a secret mostly because I wasn't sure if my experiences qualified as abuse. I wasn't being beaten or starved so I didn't classify being touched inappropriately as abuse. By the time I was sexually assaulted by that monster I had grown used to the abuse. I was used to being used and discarded. Though the #SexualAssault made me fear for my life, there was something about it that seemed familiar like all the other times I was being abused. Not to mention the onslaught of #EmotionalAbuse I was subjected to by another monster. I was psychologically torn down. I began to accept the abuse and believe all their lies. I believed that I wasn't good enough, that I deserved what was happening, that I was a bad person, that sex was a bad thing but yet my worth depended on it. After leaving the abusive situation in 2019, my life went further downhill. Financial losses, no relationship with the family, self-harm and a suicide attempt. I was later diagnosed with #PTSD and that changed things. But after I met my now fiancé, things changed for the better. My life is more stable, healthier and while I am still doing intensive therapy and working out the trauma, I can say that each day gets better. I have found someone that loves me despite the trauma. I have a family I can call my own. So while I may struggle with the effects of being abused, I can say that healing is possible. It just takes time.

I encourage you to share your story (if you feel comfortable). This post has been truly liberating. Thank you for allowing me to post here. My voice and your voice matters! I will no longer be ruled by fear and shame. That belongs to the monsters that decided to abuse me. I appreciate all the feedback.

We are strong together!

#ChildhoodAbuse

No matter how long they beat you down, how long they cheat, how long they steal what means the most to you! Never quit!
I was honest with my feelings and wanted a good marriage and family! Instead I was ridiculed and put down by the man I married. Now he wants a divorce and I will be free! #freedom #no more abuse #I deserve love

Just watched a documentary on The Protestant Reformation for History class. Catholics and Protestants were both martyred for their faith, many being burned at the stake.

I share this because I feel so foolish for complaining about my relational and mental issues and doubting Him when we are so blessed to be able to worship without, for the most part, the fear of being physically persecuted for it.

This in no way minimizes our illnesses. It just helps me to see the big picture, the macro versus the micro, so to speak.
#Jesus #god #Faith #freedom

It has been 1 year today that I've been abuse free. It's a great feeling and I'm moving forward with a new start to the up coming new year. New city, new home, new job. It's going to be tough for a little while but I now know my strength and my worth.

If you are in an abusive relationship, I encourage you to leave when you can. My marriage almost killed me more than once and leaving was and is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Even though I most my children in the wake, I have hope that they'll come around someday. #Never again #freedom #Abuse

Wasn't too sure how I'd feel, the day of my retirement (10/31/22). I thought I'd be an emotional wreck on video, with my coworkers. Nope, for once it didn't happen. Spent 1st full day Tues, doing nothing. My body & brain after 30 yrs needed to start healing. So here it is Friday--Slowly feeling good pain wise. Dealing with #'s for 30 years, takes a mental toll. All i can say is, I'm the happiest (i think. other than my wedding day) I've been in decades. I was never so happy to retire !! Now I can start on trying to be healthy. #Retirement #happy #freedom

My last post about being rooted in the past, is still speaking to me. For some reason I feel a drive to move from my current town and home that I’ve known for 36 years! It won’t be easy, moving all our possessions and uprooting to the East Coast of the U.S. I’ve lived in the East though, for 19 years of my life. I’m quite certain I could do it again. My husband says he’s ok with it. He’s someone who grew up in California. Really, he vacillates on moving..I dislike the changes that have happened in our neighborhood..More ADU’s more traffic, people not taking care of property, people infringing on our property..I know there would be a whole set of new things to get use to in a new place, but Hopefully, overall it would be a change for the better. I’d like to be closer to my children (-even though one has written us off!) I’m just antsy for a new start, a new beginning, some where else..I could do this! My husband, not really. He’s too rigid in his ways, even though he’d move for me, he just can’t step outside the box or color outside the lines…#PTSD #change #Comfort married to a non-practicing alcoholic still causes #confrontation #freedom need a #New way, a new place to call #home I just feel I need this before I’m too old…

I was able to write my trauma narrative without getting badly triggered. I was even able to go into detail. I feel different but in a good way. I feel like I can say to myself that I survived.

I can move on and while I still have healing to do, I have come a long way from where I was a couple years ago. A couple years ago I was scared, angry and didn't trust people. Now I can be happy, feel safe and trust people a little.

I can tell my survival story without it ruining my day (like it would in the past) and I think that is a huge sign of improvement. Anyone can do it. You don't have to share with anybody, just yourself.

Writing is so liberating, it has been there for me and has helped me process a lot of difficult things. I really suggest journaling. I don't do it every day but enough.

I am sharing this with you so that you can see that you too can take steps forward. Stay strong friends:)

#PTSD #SexualAbuse #SexualAssault #Writing #freedom #hopeful #Abuse #Journal #MightyTogether #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder

Back in the day,

We used to play outside till dawn

Now, we're just another government pawn

Back in the day,

We used to live, laugh & grow

Now, we are forced to work our asses off bro

What is this shit? (mind my language)

Death is a trap to try and get us to submit?

As kids, we couldn't wait to be adults

Now, I reflect and I am like that was truly nuts!

The days when we could cry and be comforted

Childhood turned to adulthood and those days plummeted

Now, we're struggling to make ends meet, Who would have thought, childhood was only a treat

But it's life,

So put away that knife

It is what it is -

God is good, all is his

Better days are ahead

So, go and continue to chase that bread!

#Life #resilience #NeverGiveUp #Suicide #SuicideAwareness #Selfharm #selfharmawareness #strength #courage #bravery #Independence #freedom #freedomwriters #useyourwords #expression #expressyourself #creativity #Deep #deepthinkers #bold #Spirituality #Meditation #Spiritual #calm #Zen #gowiththeflow #liveinthepresent #loa #TheSecret #manifest #manifestation #Positivity #PositiveVibes #GoodVibes #vibes #Energy #YouCanDoIt #Believe #Hope #Care #Empathy #compassion