To the One Who’s Been Silenced: You’re Not Alone

Domestic violence doesn’t always leave bruises you can see. Sometimes it hides in the quiet moments—the glance that makes you shrink, the apology you whisper after doing nothing wrong, the constant fear of setting someone off. I used to think if I just tried harder, loved better, stayed quieter... it would stop.

But it didn’t.

What I didn’t know back then was that love should never make you feel less. That strength isn’t found in surviving silence—it’s found in speaking up, even when your voice trembles. And healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means remembering with power instead of pain.

If you’re reading this and it feels familiar, hear me when I say: you are not alone.

Your story matters. Your feelings are valid. And your strength? It's greater than you think.

Whether you're just beginning to recognize the patterns, in the process of leaving, or rebuilding your life one piece at a time—I see you. You are worthy of love that doesn’t hurt, safety that’s unwavering, and support that never demands your silence.

Let this be your permission slip to start again, to speak your truth, and to reclaim your voice.