Dear Younger Me

Dear Younger Me -

The guarantee of safety in a battering relationship can never be based upon a promise from the perpetrator, no matter how heartfelt.

You can get caught in a trap of catering to him, trying to please him but no matter what you do, it will never be enough. He will just keep coming up with more demands because he believes his needs are your responsibility, until you feel drained down to nothing.

Physical aggression by a man toward you is abuse, even if it happens only once. If he raises a fist; punches a hole in the wall; throws things at you; blocks your way; restrains you; grabs, pushes, or pokes you; or threatens to hurt you, that’s physical abuse

Don’t see yourself through the eyes of those who don’t value you. Know your worth even if they don’t. You deserve better.