Hi, I’m new here, and looking for advice.
My ex left me a while ago, so I am now safe, but before that he was psychologically and physically abusive for several years (luckily nothing extreme and I was never injured, but has still greatly impacted me).
I am a student, and have been really struggling with my course because of what I’ve been through, so thinking I should pause my studies at the end of this semester (January) and continue next year instead. I need to talk to my family about it, as I will need their support, and help finding a job for the year, but I don’t know how. My circumstances are different to most students, so I cannot move back home like others could.
Does anyone have any advice for how to tell my parents about what I’ve been through and how I’m struggling? We have a slightly difficult relationship, and no one in my family talks about their feelings. I’ve been putting off talking to them, and I’m really worried about how they might react, which isn’t helping. At the moment I’ve been staying with them over Christmas, but due to leave in the next week or so as my course resumes, so I am running out of time.
Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!