I never thought I’d be the kind of woman who stayed with a man who hurt her not physically, but in every other way.
My husband was charming in public. Everyone loved him. But behind closed doors, he made me feel small. Everything was always my fault. If he was in a bad mood, I was “too emotional.” If I spoke up, I was “disrespectful.” I stopped wearing makeup. I stopped seeing my friends. I even stopped laughing.
I stayed because I thought I was protecting my kids. I stayed because I didn’t know who I was without him. I stayed because I was afraid.
Until one morning, I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.
She looked exhausted. Empty. Forgotten.
That day, I packed two bags while he was at work. I took the kids, and we left. We didn’t even say goodbye.
It’s been a year now. I’m not going to lie—healing is slow. Some days I still hear his voice in my head. I still doubt myself. I still wonder if I did the right thing.
But my kids smile more now. I sleep peacefully. And sometimes, when I catch myself humming while washing dishes, I realize I’m coming back to life.
To anyone reading this:
I’m not looking for praise.
I’m just asking…
Does it get better? How did you heal after walking away from someone who broke you slowly?
