I thought I was going mad, being told on a regular basis that I was unhinged and had issues for many years. I was warned that if I ever told anyone about the abuse, he would discredit me completely. After spending months with my psychologist, it became clear that the only issue I ever had was with him controlling my life.

The immense feeling of relief and normalcy that comes from being away from a toxic person is almost indescribable. The control, the emotional abuse, and the financial abuse had become my normal—my comfort zone. It’s shocking to realize just how much I had adapted to such a damaging environment.

Physical abuse, however, was always at the forefront of my mind. I constantly worried: how would I ever escape unscathed? How would I ever be free again without making huge sacrifices? The toll it has taken on me has been profound: lost friendships, rifts between friends, financial sacrifices, and emotional scars. Yet, despite all of that, I can finally say with conviction: never, ever again.

I now understand that true freedom begins with reclaiming my autonomy and refusing to let anyone diminish my worth. It’s a journey of healing, self-discovery, and resilience. Although the sacrifices have been immense, they were necessary to regain control over my life and find peace. I’ll never allow myself to be trapped in that cycle again.