‘ People don’t “allow” themselves to be abused.
People are lied to and coerced into abusive
situations. And before they know any better, their
finances, their living situations, and all of their
systems of support are tied into their abuser. People
don’t choose to be abused. They are manipulated by
their abusers. And by the time they realize that they
need to get away, it’s too late to do so without
tearing their entire world apart.’ Kalen Dion.
I read this and thought of you.
I’ve endured two long term abusive relationships. It is what I grew up with and I hadn’t developed a sense of deserving anything different. It was what I was used to. It was a revelation when I understood that I deserved better, and abuse was not inevitable.
So don’t be hard on yourself. You’ve been through a lot and deserve only kindness.