🚨Trigger alert.
When I was in an abusive relationship – everything I thought or said or did could be turned into ‘ammunition’.

A sharp example was when I heard that Princess Diana had died in Paris.
Apparently because I grieved, I must be sympathetic to a home-wrecker and an unfaithful cheater.
Therefore, I must have been a cheater too.
Which meant I needed to be ‘disciplined’.

I shrivelled and grew smaller and tighter around myself.

Luckily I managed to escaped and am now safe.
I found someone who healed me with kindness, patience and love.
Even if it took many years.

I now know what love is.

Love is pain.
Love is joy.
Love is the gift of oneself.

Love is safety.
Love is kind.
Love is the absence of judgement.

Love is giving someone the power to destroy you, and trusting them not to use it.
—
Once upon a time, I would have been a #Samaritans caller.
Now I am on the other side of the phone line, providing a lifeline to those who are in crisis.

If you recognise the story as the world you live in right now, reach out for help.
Refuge Domestic helpline (UK): 0808 2000 247
National Domestic Violence Hotline (USA): 1-800-799-SAFE
You can also call Samaritans freephone in the UK: 116 123

You don’t have to go through this alone. 🌹
#OnThePeiroll
#SuicidePrevention
#SuicideAwareness