A lifelong lesson. When you are forced to defend yourself, whether consciously or unconsciously, something changes inside of you on a fundamental level. Changing it back is a process of self-discovery and reforming harmful habits. You owe it to yourself and the people who love you to take time for that process. And to forgive yourself when you mess up. Yes I said that right. If you don't get it right and you hurt someone, forgive yourself. It's the most powerful thing you can do, and it will help. A perfect message for today, I think. - Chaim E.

Unlearning abuse also means unlearning the abusive behaviors that you inherited as survival tactics. - Cachi Yaire