“

While connecting with other people who have experienced domestic abuse, it seemed that many of us have something in common. Victims of domestic abuse struggle with identifying themselves as real victims.

“

Narcissists are people who know how to charm, coerce, mislead, seduce, and use deceiving words to have their way.

“

Our paths are different paths, and my choice is to healthfully and lovingly avoid where they may cross. Whatever your war is or will be, there will be my peace. 

“

He only told me after hitting me or when he was drunk. Only when he thought he could lose me. Only when he wouldn’t remember.

“

The story will not be ending anytime soon, and I feel like I’m stuck in the tumultuous second act of the novel of my life whose momentum has gotten out of the author’s control.

“

I had a life before you. I didn’t want a life after you.

“

I wouldn’t use the word love, because I didn’t love you. I was stuck in a cycle of emotional abuse, which you tried to make me think, was love.

“

Research shows that victims of violence on average experience seven incidents before permanently leaving their partner.

“

I know only a vague concept of the past hurts you have experienced and the wounds that never fully healed because of it, but I was not the one who actually hurt you.

“

I confused abuse for love when I looked for the damaged parts inside him and tried to love them.