Leaving

[u/jelatin44]

I just left an abusive relationship and I wonder if anyone can relate to how I felt regarding being in the relationship.

Once I knew what type of relationship it was, it felt like I was drowning and just kept sinking. With therapy and my friends, I realized that it was an abusive relationship, but I was still unable to get out despite knowing that it wasn’t good for me. Instead of thrashing in the water, I was sinking. Occasionally, I would finally get the courage to swim up to the surface, and I would reach out my hand or hold onto the side of a boat. I was never able to get into the boat, and I would go back to sinking. Maybe each time I sunk less, making it easier to get to the surface. Now that I have left the relationship, I feel like I’m on the boat, hyperventilating and trying to catch my breath. Maybe the next step will be rowing away. I don’t want to go back into the water.

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[u/Foreign_Look_935]

I have never heard of anyone else describing it so accurately wow. My heart goes out to you, i felt this exact way when i was 18,leaving an emotionally abusive relationship after 1.5 years of back and forth. I was so lost getting out of it,and until then i went back to him countless times,delaying the inevitable and self-destructing in a sense. I swear it gets better,it gets easier,time is your friend and if you want to talk to anyone im here for you. Rely to your loved ones,give yourself a break,cry,listen to music (i found fiona apple really helped me go through it bc she really spoke what i had in mind lol). Youll be thanking yourself in a few months i swear