Hope In Recovery From Abuse (Religious And Otherwise)

[mikey101]

Can anyone share the about the hope and healing they've gained by being in recovery from abuse?  What did you learn in therapy?  How has your life changed?  I'm starting recovery and would love to hear from others who have had time in recovery and done the work.  Thanks!

[sparklingphoenix]

Hi,

 

I've worked a lot on recovery for myself from mental, emotional, and verbal abuse from my parents, as well as religious deconversion. I learned a lot about having healthy boundaries, cutting toxic relationships out of my life, and making myself a priority. My life changed in that I can have a civil relationship with my mom and I don't get as upset about my dad's idiocy like I used to. It's freed me up to allow more happiness in my life since I've been able to deal with hurt and let it go. When I lived with my parents I felt really hopeless and powerless, but since I've been able to move out and work on myself more, my life has gotten a lot better. I'm still a work in progress. I hope your recovery is enlightening and healing.

[Thrive]

My ex-husband was very emotionally and verbally abusive, it was one of those situations where he was so loving and then slowly tore me down until I felt like I deserved it.  I turned myself into a stepford wife and still felt like such a disappointment to him.  Even after I left him it took a while to get what he said out of my system.  I never have done therapy, but lots of online support, talking to others who are in similar situations has helped me a lot.  I finally came to realize that what he said and did reflected on him and did not define me. The fact that he needed to manipulate and break me to feel good about himself shows his character not mine.  I took the time to figure out myself and hopefully I have a stong enough sense of self now that I will never let anyone else take advantage of me again.