I recently left a very horrible relationship.  It took a lot of might and I couldn’t have done it without the support of friends and family.  (Although I kept the relationship secret from so many people close to me).

What first began as something so magical and special turned into consistent verbal and psychological abuse.  There were declarations of love and talk about fighting to save the relationship and how things would be different in the future which kept me there.  Ultimately the insults, belittling comments and disregard of who I am took its toll.

He’s gone now.  Sometimes I’m having a perfectly nice day and some of his horrid words would pop into my mind.  It still hurts.  But worse of all – is that I stayed, I forgave, I tolerated poor behaviour for so long.  I am disappointed in myself although I have enough good people  around me who will tell me to treat myself with kindness.  It happened.  it’s over.  It will never be repeated.  Let’s move on.

I know how hard it is to leave a nasty relationship.  But try as hard as you can if you find yourself in this situation.  You must leave.  If your instincts are telling you that it’s not right – don’t try to fix it. Run.  Run away.  Your sweetness and kindness is being taken advantage of.  You may not be able to do it alone.  Heaven knows, it took a small army to help me be free.  Talk to your friends and family and seek help.

To the friends and family, don’t give up on us.  You may clearly see the abuse and destruction that surrounds us and rightly tell us so.  Yet to your dismay, we stay or return.  Stick with us.  Support us.  Be the strength that we need.

I hope and pray that if anyone is in an abusive relationship of any kind, that they will be able to find their way out and leave.

You are in my heart.  With love,

Katty xx