October is Domestic Violence month

October is Domestic Violence Month

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Most of you who follow me know my story, as it is the reason I write this blog. It is to inspire others who were in the same situation I was trapped in for so many years.

I am brutally honest about my life because I want you to know life is not going to be perfect, that all your problems will not magically disappear when you finally decide to leave your situation.

Whether you're in a verbally or physically abusive relationship, I am here to tell you there is hope. You can leave, you will find peace and joy, and you will eventually find your self-worth and I swear to you... you will wish you would have left years before.

I know what you are going through, I know you're afraid. He's taken care of all the bills, you're dependent on him, you have kids, how are you going to do this all on your own?

Or you're like me, you come from a poor background, and now you're living this big life, big vacations, toys, designer clothes, fancy cars..how can you go back to being poor?

You doubt everything about yourself. You believe his cruel words that he says to you every day... you're stupid, you're worthless, and you'll never make it without him.

You walk around on eggshells. You think about every word you say before you say it so that you don't "set" him off. You can't have friends, and he makes you cut off family that might put something in your ear.

He criticizes everything about you that he said he first fell in love with.

Your weight, your cooking, your cleaning, even your mothering skills. You can do nothing right in his eyes and no matter how you try to become "perfect" for him again, you will never achieve it, because there will always be something else he will complain about.

It's a facade of a perfect family. Everyone envies you. What a great guy you have. Look at your perfect life.

Yet every night you cry yourself to sleep, every morning you cry because you have woken up and have to endure another day with this person.

You are living in hell. You hate your life. You don't even know who you are anymore when you look in the mirror. You wonder where that beautiful, smart, independent woman you once were went, and why were you left with just a shell of her? How did this happen?

Yes, I know your struggles, I feel your pain. I've cried your tears....I've been you.

The only difference between me and you is that I speak about it to the world. I chose to bear my soul to let others know it can change. You just need to step out of your fear. You need to find yourself worth, you need to know it won't be easy but it will be worth it.

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like waking up smiling every morning and being truly grateful for being free, so much so that it brings you to tears. That when you come home at night, there is peace in your home, and you can feel the joy, literally.

To know you've done this on your own, you did all he said you couldn't achieve. You are not just surviving. You're living a life that no money could ever buy, and that, my friends, is a priceless feeling.

So today my friends remember... I know your pain, I've walked in your shoes and I am here to tell you, you can do this, I believe in you.

There is nothing you can not change if you set your mind to it. You got this, reach out, find a group, go to your clergy, find a therapist, speak to friends. Make a plan, stop letting fear and him control YOUR life, you got this.

There is an amazing life out there waiting for you. It's more amazing than you could even dream, and it's just waiting for you to be the change you want to see

@TreadmillTreats