Healing from domestic violence can be a difficult process. It necessitates both a practical and a compassionate/empathetic approach. There are some things you can do here to help yourself.
Healing from domestic violence means learning how to take care of yourself.
As a survivor, you need to prioritize your well-being and start rebuilding your life by engaging in self-care activities. Self-care activities can nourish the mind, body, and soul, whether they involve yoga, indulgent hobbies, time in nature, or just quiet moments. By devoting time and effort to pursuits that make you feel happy and fulfilled, you’ll eventually find happiness in simple pleasures. This is something that should start right away. You’ve been denied the right to self-care for so long that you shouldn’t put it off any longer. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this right away, but you do so don’t make the mistake of getting so caught up in life that you don’t feed your soul.
Create a network of allies.
Creating a strong support network is essential for you as you embark on healing from domestic violence. A much-needed sense of community and belonging can be created by connecting with friends, family, or support groups that comprehend and validate their experiences. Being resilient, overcoming feelings of loneliness, and building an empathy and understanding network can all be facilitated by telling stories, asking for advice, and supporting others. Remember though: If your family is part of your abusive past, it’s perfectly alright to cut them off and seek healing and guidance from others. Just because they’re blood doesn’t mean they have to be part of your family.
Develop forgivingness.
Forgiveness — both for yourself and for others — is a potent healing tool. Part of healing from domestic violence has to do with letting go of regrets or harmful behaviors from the past. Happiness and personal development can be hampered by holding onto anger and resentment. By practicing forgiveness, you can overcome your negative feelings, reclaim your power, and make room for a fresh start.
Establish limits.
Building a life after domestic violence requires establishing healthy boundaries. To regain control over your life and ensure your wellbeing, you must define what is and is not acceptable behavior in your relationships. Setting boundaries contributes to the development of safe environments and strong interpersonal bonds based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding.
Rediscover trust.
Since you’ve endured betrayal, you may find yourself struggling with issues of trust. (Heck! This is something I still struggle with sometimes.) It takes time and practice, but it’s possible to learn to trust once more. It entails gradually opening up to reliable sources, getting professional help to resolve underlying trust issues, and allowing yourself to have faith in other people. You can regain your capacity to create strong connections and enjoy fulfilling relationships by taking small steps toward trust.
Take part in creative expression.
Creating expressive works of art like paintings, sculptures, or writing can give you a creative outlet for expressing yourself and letting off steam. It can be incredibly gratifying to discover your creative side, experiment with various mediums, and use art as therapy. In fact, art therapy can play a big role in healing from domestic violence.
Enjoy time spent outside.
Getting in touch with nature can transform your life. You can find peace by spending time outside, whether it's taking walks in the park, hiking through the mountains, or just relaxing by the sea. Even today, many years past my abuse, I still find nature plays an important part in my healing from domestic violence.
Put gratitude first.
Finding happiness can be attained by changing your perspective to one of gratitude. You can practice gratitude even while you’re in pain and healing from domestic violence by consciously recognizing and appreciating the good things in your life. Regardless of how dark things may seem, there’s always something to be thankful for.
These tactics serve as a road map for healing from domestic violence. Your path to happiness is individual and personal. At Healing Family Trauma Pittsburgh, I’m here to support you in that journey. Thanks to those who support this website, I can be here to help you with your healing journey.
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