What Does It Mean To Be A Survivor?

When you leave the prison of your own design releasing permanently the abuser you are a survivor.  A conscious decision to no longer allow the abuser to have access to your emotions, starving the abuser of his/her power over you, sets you free.  

Does that mean you have conquered them?  Not.  They are cunning, devious and know how to 'hook' you, as they have done over and over again.  The abuse is insidious because it gets better and gives you hope and  it gets worse which makes you feel trapped.  The first step to being a survivor is to make the conscious decision to get out of the abusive relationship.  When you decide, begin to question: how, when, where and why, you become a survivor.  It may take many attempts to free yourself and don't be discouraged because you have taken the first step towards a better life.  The constant mixed messages can make you think that there is hope for the relationship because it started out so perfectly. It took me far too long to set myself free.  If this sounds familiar, this blog is for you.