“

Never believe it was your own fault because you’re weak or because you’re stupid or because you aren’t pretty enough or successful enough or exciting enough to find someone who treats you right.

“

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

“

There’s an African proverb that says that “until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” Well, guess what? The lion finally learned how to write.

“

Even victims of the worst kind of abuse are oftentimes unaware they’re victims.

“

Then I breathe. I’m awake, and you being asleep is just the calm before every storm. Why am I not used to this yet?

“

Draw the line, enforce your boundaries, limit contact, be mindful of your energy, and finally leave if need be.

“

You dismiss the pain and just hope that things can go back to what they were at the beginning.

“

I’m choosing to believe that. After my abuse, I can have a healthy relationship.

“

I remember the first time my body tried to tell me something.

“

One of the most frequent questions someone asks me in response to talking about being abused is “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”