Dear Ms Anonymous,
I have this feeling that I can’t shake today. The feeling that somewhere out there is a woman who is going through something, and feels like she has to handle it alone.
She feels like no one will understand, or care. And she wonders if they would even listen or believe her that life isn’t what she has been portraying.
This woman struggles to let the world see her weakness because women like her are supposed to be strong.
She won’t even cry in front of others. Instead, she lets out all her tears in the shower.
But there comes a time when enough is enough. And this woman must use courage in order to escape the reality that she has found herself in.
It didn’t happen overnight. The relationship started with attraction, and what felt like love. She looked up to him as a mentor, and he understood her in her ways family didn’t.
But one day she realized she was in a fog. A skewed version of reality – where she didn’t even realize what was going on at first.
She feared that this relationship was the best she was ever going to have. At the age of 29, if she didn’t stay she would never be able to find love again, or have kids? Those were only some of the lies she told herself.
Somewhere out there is a woman who is in pain. She’s going through something that other women are silently going through.
The fighting, the physical abuse. Followed by the constant apologies and the makeups. The apologies that keep her coming back again and again, because she believe them.
The shame that comes from hiding what’s really going on. She doesn’t want anyone to see the truth. Protecting the abuser, because she believes that what she is experiencing is love.
The secret grows bigger and bigger. The burden to keep it grows just the same.
Until that day when she finally decides enough is enough.
That day was 17 years in the making. For 17 years she held on to the secret of the abusive relationship. The kind of relationship she vowed she would never be in.
Somewhere out there is a woman who needs to know she is not alone. It may feel lonely right now, but make the decision to tell someone. There is someone out there who can help you escape the fog and get freed from the manipulation.
Trust yourself to know that you are worth more than this abusive relationship. Make a list of your values and know what is important to you.
Breathe in the possibilities that exist outside of this abusive relationship.
Know that you are not alone, and when to say enough is enough.
On that day, leave a note and say “I’m sorry, goodbye.”
And don’t ever look back.
So proud of my friend April who had the courage to see that her life would be better once she decided to leave. Finally, she said no more… No more drawn out arguments. No more physical fighting and verbal abuse. And no more psychological manipulation.
Today she stands in her power and teaches other women who have been suffering in silence to do the same.
And she’s ready to help you too… if you’re ready to say I’m worth more than this…
With love,
P.S. – Thank you to April Mather who trusted me enough to allow me to tell her story. October is Domestic Violence awareness month, and we want to empower you to get out, get help, and live the life you desire.