Emotional abuse can be one of the most damaging forms of abuse that an individual can experience. It happens very slowly, leaving deep wounds that are hard to understand and can be very difficult to heal from – but not impossible. For single moms who have experienced emotional abuse, healing can seem like an impossible feat. But the truth is, it is possible to overcome the effects of emotional abuse and heal from it. In this blog post, I will share personal experiences with emotional abuse and discuss ways to overcome its effects.

Acknowledge the Abuse

I learned about the abuse by someone informing me. I had no idea what emotional abuse was. This first step is really important and probably the most difficult. The reason I think it’s difficult is because it’s so subtle especially at first and it grows in intensity over a long period of time. In addition, I remember thinking, it couldn’t have been that bad, he never hit me. However, acknowledging that you have experienced emotional abuse is essential to moving forward. Once you have acknowledged the abuse, you can begin to identify the effects it has had on your life.

Seek Professional Help

Professional help was a priority for me as it did leave deep emotional scars where I felt emotionally fragile. I knew I need to build self-confidence so that I could regain my sense of self-worth and feel valued as a mom and co-worker. I found professional help to be an important part of my healing journey to understanding what I was going through and the effects of emotional abuse. I have had therapists who helped me understand the dynamic of emotionally abusive relationships and help me develop healthy coping mechanisms. I didn’t connect with others and it was a very lonely road. I don’t want you to feel like I did. That’s why I am passionate about connecting those who have experienced emotional abuse. My hope is that you feel less alone and provide a sense of community and support. Join my private Facebook group when the timing is right for you and you are determined to heal.

Practice Self-Care

Emotional abuse left me feeling worthless, lonely and undeserving of love and affection. Practicing self-care is an essential step in the healing process to regain your sense of self-worth. This can look different for everyone, but some things I really enjoyed include taking a walk, taking an epsom salt bath, being in nature, sitting on the beach and reading a gentle, heart-warming story, enjoying smells like Bloom that uplift my spirits. Eating healthy is a huge part of the emotional healing process. Learn more by doing the 11 Day Jumpstart.

Set Boundaries

Emotional abuse often stems from a lack of boundaries. What this means is that when someone tells you something that hurts your feelings and you don’t feel comfortable letting them know they have hurt your feelings. By setting boundaries, you can protect yourself from further abuse. This is especially important if you are going to start dating again. It can be scary to start setting boundaries at first, but it is an essential step to taking control of your life and regaining your power. Boundary-setting can take many forms, from declining a first date to saying no to something that doesn’t work for you. As apposed to accepting the time and date and making it work and rearranging your schedule. If you’re like me, this was very difficult at first. Practicing takes time, but when you do self-healing, it comes much more quickly & naturally.

Self Healing

We are attracted to a specific type of person. Healing must be done to protect yourself from being in another toxic or abusive relationship. Please know that if you have been through an emotionally abusive relationship once, the chances of being in a second one are very high.  When the timing is right for you and you feel like you have gained the most you can from counseling, self-healing may be a good option for you. I have found it to be a loving, comforting way to heal myself from the deep emotional wounds caused by emotional abuse.

One Last Thing…

Overcoming the effects of emotional abuse isn’t always easy. As a survivor of emotional abuse, I know firsthand the pain and trauma that it can cause. But I also know that healing is possible. By acknowledging the abuse, seeking professional help, practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and keeping self-healing open as an option as you grow, you can overcome the effects of emotional abuse and regain your sense of self-worth and power. Remember, healing is a journey, not a destination. Be kind to yourself, and take it one step at a time.