Don’t apologize for being abused

There is something that just breaks my heart when I hear someone who was in an abusive relationship apologize.

Saying sorry for not leaving earlier.

For wanting to help.

For seeing the best in another human.

Apologizing for the hurt it’s caused family and friends.

It really breaks my heart that someone who has been abused in whatever form can’t see that they don’t need to apologize.

It’s easy for people on the outside to say “I would have left way earlier” or “how could you stay in that”.

But until you actually experience it you don’t know how you will respond.

Yes you might do that, but you also might not.

If you have been abused let me tell you right now you do NOT need to apologize.

Abuse is abuse because it causes you trauma that makes you unable in the moment to make those decisions others think are so easy.

And if you are out now then let’s celebrate!

You found the strength to leave.

Don’t punish yourself wishing you had left earlier.

You did it. You left. I celebrate you.

And if you are in this right now, there are definitely options to help you leave.

The first step is the hardest but you can take it one step at a time.

One foot in front of another.

No need to punish and berate yourself for not knowing ‘better.’

Once we know more we can do more and that’s what you get to remind yourself of.

You have all the power within you, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.

There are people who love you and will move heaven and earth to see you happy.

One little step at a time.

And lots of love is here from me to you ❤️

Please remove I am sorry from your vocabulary when it comes to not leaving earlier.

Your family and friends love you. No matter what. You don’t need to apologize for seeing things differently to how they did.

Ever.

Xo S