This year, I am not missing Christmas. I am missing decades of abuse disguised as tradition. I am missing the lies, the isolation, the sabotage, and the deliberate cruelty that arrived every December like clockwork—and on birthdays too. This year, I will not be told that “there are no presents from friends or family because nobody really… Read More What I Will No Longer Lose at Christmas
How Abusers Disrupt Christmas, Birthdays & Milestones 1. Financial Interference 🎁💳 What it looks like Why they do itMoney equals autonomy. Cutting access restores control and creates panic. Early warning signs 2. Mail, Documents & Access Sabotage 📬🔑 What it looks like Why they do itIt’s covert, deniable, and leaves you feeling powerless. Early warning… Read More Holiday Sabotage Map
Recently, while watching live music at a local nightclub with a long-time family friend, I was reminded of something powerful: the very first Christmas I spent in my new home and life in Spain. It was Christmas Eve — a time when friends and family were relaxing, preparing, and enjoying themselves behind closed doors. But… Read More The Last Christmas I Spent in Silence, and the First I Truly Celebrated
For many of us, birthdays are not about material gifts but about being seen and celebrated. A card, a meal, a gathering — these rituals say: I’m glad you were born, and I want to honor you today. But some people never take part in that. They may hand you a present, but leave the celebration to others, or… Read More When Someone Buys a Gift But Never Celebrates You: The Psychology Behind Withholding Joy
The Price I Paid: A Lifetime of Financial and Emotional Manipulation Looking back, I now see the stark reality of my life—anything I had, I was made to pay for. Every car, every phone, every computer, every necessity for the home—I bore the cost. If I needed a new phone, I had to accept it… Read More The Price I Paid: A Lifetime of Financial and Emotional Manipulation
Despite any challenges we may have faced in the past, at the core of our family is a commitment to love, care, and support one another. Each family member brings a unique story and perspective, contributing to the rich tapestry that defines who we are. It’s easy to focus on our differences or the difficulties… Read More We are Family
This past Christmas and birthday were nothing short of extraordinary for me. For the first time in many years, they were free from the oppressive shadow of narcissistic behavior that had previously overshadowed these special occasions. The long silences, the emotional lockouts, and the lack of acknowledgment or celebration were no longer a part of… Read More A Narc Free Christmas and Birthday
The weight of past Christmases may linger, but it does not have to define the future. Each step away from abuse is a victory, and each moment spent in safety and love is a reminder of what life can and should be. This year’s celebration is not just a holiday; it is a testament to resilience, to the power of breaking free, and to the promise of better days ahead.… Read More Experiencing a Christmas Without Abuse: A Story of Freedom and Healing
Missed the Point:
The end of a marriage is a monumental, emotional event, but their focus on presents trivializes the entire situation. It’s as if they’re trying to bargain with the emotional equivalent of Monopoly money.
It reveals how shallow their priorities may have been all along—less about emotional connection and more about transactional exchanges.
Power Play Gone Wrong:
This kind of statement feels like a weak attempt to hold onto some semblance of control or power, as if not getting a Christmas or birthday gift could be the dealbreaker in your decision to leave.
The humor lies in how completely they’ve underestimated you. You’re walking away from a lifetime of pain, not from a box wrapped in shiny paper.Power Play Gone Wrong:
This kind of statement feels like a weak attempt to hold onto some semblance of control or power, as if not getting a Christmas or birthday gift could be the dealbreaker in your decision to leave.
The humor lies in how completely they’ve underestimated you. You’re walking away from a lifetime of pain, not from a box wrapped in shiny paper.
Reveals Their Character:
Instead of introspection, empathy, or even a meaningful goodbye, they resort to petty threats. It’s a window into why leaving is the best choice for you. Reveals Their Character:
Instead of introspection, empathy, or even a meaningful goodbye, they resort to petty threats. It’s a window into why leaving is the best choice for you.… Read More Power Play Gone Wrong
Imagine waking up on a special day and feeling genuine excitement instead of dread. The joy of knowing that this year, the celebration is truly yours, untouched by unnecessary drama or calculated cruelty. You can finally breathe and let yourself feel all the happiness and love these occasions are meant to bring. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative of your life—to reclaim holidays as days of peace, connection, and meaning.… Read More No More Emotional Landmines
