Anger Isn't Scary. I'm Still Figuring That One Out.

Anger isn't scary. I'm still figuring that one out.

emotionally competent cassowary

trauma tells you being happy is wrong. your body rejects it because it’s unfamiliar, it’s something you have felt out of touch with for a long time. so just know that this is where the self-sabotage begins but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy. it’ll just take time to get used to it again, to fully enjoy it and remind yourself you don’t deserve to put yourself through painful situations.

A question for the abuse survivors, did you lose the ability to recognize when you're happy? I feel like someone took an eraser to my amygdala.

Did you get yours back?

Thinking about this one again today.

I'm certain he has someone.

I wonder how much he uses his time with me to torture her.

I bet he’s always suspicious and checking her phone, and tells her he can’t help that he can’t trust; his ex was such a whore.

I bet he screams and throws things at her when she brings up something he does that hurts or bothers her. He’s sorry, but he can’t help it; his ex was a bitch and she just said something like his ex would say.

I bet he calls her as stupid as his ex when she forgets something.

I bet he’s hit her when something is out of place. His ex couldn’t be trusted to be responsible or keep house properly, and he doesn’t want to live with a pig again.

On the other hand, I’m sure he’s told her that he was practically addicted to sex with his ex. It would just be a coincidence that he’d bring these things up when she’s not in the mood or doesn’t want to do a specific sex act.

I’m sure he’s mentioned that his ex made great food when she’s burned dinner or made something he didn’t like. Or worse, when she didn’t feel like cooking.

I’m sure that he’s mentioned how dutiful his ex was with the housework when she wants to go do something fun or socialize.

I’m sure his ex’s agreeableness (code for: door mat) has come up when she’s feeling vulnerable and jealous about the strippers and other women he flirts with.

I’m sure I, his ex, am a very useful manipulation tool.

“I know I’ve told this story before, but my abusive ex refused to let me take birth control. I was on the pill until he found them in my purse. I went to the Student Health Center—they were completely unhelpful, choosing to lecture me about the importance of safe sex (recommending condoms) instead of actually listening to my problem. Then I went to Planned Parenthood. The Nurse Practitioner took one look at my fading bruises and stopped the exam. She called in the doctor. The doctor came in and simply asked me: “Are you ready to leave him?” When I denied that I was being abused, she didn’t argue with me. She just asked me what I needed. I said I need a birth control method that my boyfriend couldn’t detect. She recommended a few options and we decided on Depo. When I told her that my boyfriend read my emails and listened to my phone messages and was known to follow me, she suggested to do the Depo injections at off hours when the clinic was normally closed. She made a note in my chart and instructed the front desk never to leave messages for me—instead, she programmed her personal cell phone number into my phone under the name “Nora”. She told me she would call me to schedule my appointments; she wouldn’t leave a message, but I should call her back when I was able to. And that was it. No judgment. No lecture. She walked me to the door and told me to call her day or night if I needed anything. That she lived 5 blocks from campus and would come get me. That I wasn’t alone. That she just wanted me to be safe. I never called her to come to my rescue. But I have no doubt that she would have come if I had called. She kept me on Depo for a year, giving me those monthly injections in secret, helping me prevent a desperately unwanted pregnancy. I cannot thank Planned Parenthood enough for the work they do.”

—

Curious Georgiana (via grrrlstudies)

I know I’ve reblogged this before, but it bears re-reblogging (?).  This is how you respond to abuse, this is how you give people control over their bodies/uteruses, this is how you act as a generally non-judgmental and compassionate person.  I love this story so fucking much.

(via coffeewithants)

!!! 🤎