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    • #150391
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      As my title says I did, I went on my own for a local meet up at a coffee shop…. I can’t believe I did it 😁 walked in and introduced myself and had a lovely hour chatting over coffee.
      Best bit…. I could do this as I got out of my abusive relationship, I didn’t have to ask his permission, I didn’t feel as anxious as I would have if I had come home to my husband.
      I could stay as long as I wanted
      Coming home to mine and kids calm home
      Meeting new people with no expectations

      When I think back to this time last year (I was a mess), I have got much stronger
      ❤️

    • #150401
      Twisted Sister
      Participant

      Hi Hereforhelp

      Good for you ringing the changes and feeling you made connections and have moved so far forward in your recovery and having that peace.

      I do have concerns about the ‘MeetUp’ social media thing, if thats what you used? Purely because for a lot of women arranging a meet up with complete strangers online is really risky.

      IDK, it may not have been one of those, and I hope you have made connections with some that maybe good friends. Was it a female meet up?

      warmest wishes

      ts

      • #150416
        Hereforhelp
        Participant

        Hi TS, how are you? Thank you for your reply x

        It was a female meet up which made it easier as I am not looking to date… I miss company my own age and this little group worked, no pressure, just coffee, walk and chats… I have new friends to walk my dog with too ❤️

      • #150418
        Hereforhelp
        Participant

        TS, I am interested in your concerns with Meet up groups please x

      • #150423
        Twisted Sister
        Participant

        My concern is the same as any online activity, that if you have an abuser in your life, online is a playground, and you can be tracked through local online meeting arrangements. Its a risk for many women, but I am very glad it worked out for you, and I hope this will be the start of some good connections. ts

    • #150402
      Wants To Help
      Participant

      It’s so good to read how far you have come, this just goes to show that one small step each day can soon add up to miles of distance between you and your abuser.

      This is your future one step at a time; a new social venture, new friends, maybe some female friends to go on a weekend away with, this is just the beginning 🙂

      • #150417
        Hereforhelp
        Participant

        Hi WTH, I hope you are ok?

        Yes it was a step towards my future, something which has had nothing to do with him 😁 so it wasn’t ruined, I didn’t have to do anything sexual to go out, I didn’t have the anxiety of his mood and I wasn’t afraid to be me as I am now. I am enough even though I have a long road ahead, my children and I will be alright and is alright that we are not ok somedays…. I couldn’t have said that a year ago
        ❤️

      • #150421
        nbumblebee
        Participant

        After my weekend I love this answer @hereforhelp how incredable it mustve felt. Xxxx

    • #150420
      nbumblebee
      Participant

      My gosh this is amazing what balls that took. Well done you.
      Hope you are so proud.
      Onwards and upwards sweetie.
      Am routing for you I really am.
      Keep going. Sending hugs xxxxxx

    • #150424
      Marmalade
      Participant

      That sounds great Hereforhelp. I am so pleased for you. It took strength.
      I have been advised to look at these sort of things, but haven’t plucked up the courage yet.
      It would be nice to have a network of local friends (I have long distance friends).
      I am encouraged by your experience! Keep us updated.

    • #150428
      SingleMomSurvivor
      Participant

      Thank you so much for sharing!! This is such wonderful news!! ❤️❤️

    • #150469
      Eyesopening
      Participant

      Hey my lovely, so happy to hear your lovely recent experiences and to hear your doing well ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    • #152205
      StrongLife
      Participant

      Excellent work – socialising and meeting people always good – congratulations on this step.

      • #152236
        Hereforhelp
        Participant

        Stronglife, how are you? .. I have been on some more meet ups, including a party! I had a lovely fun evening, dancing, chatting and one or 2 drinks 😁 then home alone into my pj’s and snuggled down. I have made a couple of friends, I go when I want to, i am already looking forward to the next meet ❤️

      • #152247
        nbumblebee
        Participant

        I can almost hear and feel your joy bless you.
        Keep going you are amazing ❤💜🩷

      • #162907
        StrongLife
        Participant

        I go to meetups on and off. Some are good – some not so good – it’s a luck of the draw.

        I am careful on all social networking sites especially meetup. It’s good once you get the hang of it to meet others etc.

    • #152239
      Awayfromhome
      Participant

      Reading this my heart warmed up. This is just what I was telling my mum. When I have my Olea e i can invite my friends over anytime without having to worry about “mess” and “pet hair”; I can go anywhere without being looking at the clock. Cannot wait for this!

      Well done you xx

    • #152309
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      Thanks ❤️ I have a planned drinks/party meet up next… planning what to wear is now fun as I do not have to consider what my ex thinks is appropriate! I can wear a thong and heels if I wish with a feather headress (might be too cold in just a thong 🤣 you know what I mean though!).
      ❤️

    • #152825
      StrongLife
      Participant

      Glad you found local meetup – I’m looking to ongoing social group to ie sports clubs that are organised by committees and ongoing clubs etc. it’s not easy as they can b costly.

      Glad you found ongoing people and meet ups for coffee etc. it makes a difference

    • #152844
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      Hi Stronglife, I have been to different meetups (minimum spend as I don’t have much money … coffee mornings, crafts, walking… it is nice to chat to women as me, not the abused me but as the woman I am now becoming.

      ❤️

    • #152846
      Wants To Help
      Participant

      Hi HereforHelp,

      The new women we become are stronger because of what we went through. We never fully recover but we can live a great life in Recovery.

      It’s so lovely to read your transformation as I remember your first posts on here and how much you were struggling to leave… and now you are soaring 😁

      • #152927
        Hereforhelp
        Participant

        Hi WTH… I remember and your support has been and still is so helpful ❤️
        I saw my parents today and my mum commented on how well I look now 😊 I am stronger now, still have wobbles and will need support (which I am so grateful to have) but I am working on myself and far more mentally present for my children as when my husband was here I was too mentally exhausted to be truly present with my children.
        How are you? ❤️ HFH

    • #152850
      lostrainbow
      Participant

      Hi Hereforhelp,

      This sounds amazing, I have not long left and I have no friends. I’m so happy for you, took a lot of guts as others have said. I’ve been really wobbly, but it gives me hope that I can do it too. Thank you for sharing.

      Hope you’re having a good day x*x

    • #152856
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      Thank you all for your support.. it did take a lot of guts to walk in on my own as me who I am now but I am so glad I did 😊 anything to keep moving forwards xx

    • #154169
      StrongLife
      Participant

      So true – just people – I am finding the cheaper ones ie meet for coffee etc. there has been limited of these and one was cancelled- got one coming up. Cheaper.

      Just a hint on this – I have profile name with no photo and another name to stop tracking.

    • #154224
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      Ah I Hope you enjoy it 😊 and yes, me too in case of tracking x*x

    • #164091
      Sportygirl
      Participant

      Hereforhelp – in one of your posts you said this time last year you were a mess – that’s pretty much where I am. I’m still living with the abuser as my exit plan involves my own home being restored/renovated before I’m able to move. One of the most difficult things is that I know he has a affairs behind my back but I can’t say anything otherwise he’ll kick me out. Sometimes though it comes out in little ways, like (detail removed by Moderator) he told me that he had changed his working shift times and they are now exactly the same as (detail removed by Moderator).

      I said, “(detail removed by Moderator)” He totally kicked off and said that I was always suspicious I’ve started gaslighting me. He’s now stone walling me. The thing is, it does seem like I’m being suspicious, because I am and I also have good reason to be, he’s a complete womaniser. But it looks like I’m the one in the wrong for being suspicious, whereas he’s the one who’s done something very bad with having affairs, and is getting off scot-free because I can’t say anything.

      Any advice please, hereforhelp or anyone, for how to deal with this crazy-making situation and how to stay sane until I can get out? x

    • #165872
      Chocolatebunnie
      Participant

      I know this is months old but I was looking for positive experiences and this is just what I wanted to read. Thanks for posting ♥️

      It’s good to hear that from finding things so very difficult, to feeling a mess to now feeling great and life is better. It’s empowering I’m sure it will help others too or has already.

      I’m really aware how as things are bad for me again having improved for sometime before now the difference abuse has to how available we are for our children.

      Today I was a mess, I could barely speak to my children and the anxiety I had was through the roof. The kids see me shaking. But I want to feel free and this has given me hope

      Thank you x

    • #165884
      Hereforhelp
      Participant

      Ah CB I am glad it gives you some hope… I really do remember feeling so scared to go and now I have made a few good friends whim I meet regularly… my confidence is still low but it is starting to grow now as I find out who I am now, after the abuse.

      Take care ❤️ HFH

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