Relationships After Abuse

WhaLooking for romance after leaving an abusive one can be challenging in many different ways. For starters, you may have no idea what a healthy relationship looks like. Emotional connection may also be difficult. You may feel completely lost and perhaps broken. 

But there can be love after trauma.

Here are some ways to do so:

• Heal First – Don’t jump straight into another relationship. Give yourself time to heal. Starting a new relationship with unresolved traumas can become extremely toxic.

   

• Identify the difference between healthy and abusive – Before dating after an abusive relationship, you need to rediscover healthy relationships and learn from your abusive one. Knowing more about abusive relationships helps you understand all that you went through to heal properly.

• Take your time – Like all good things, this will take time. Have patience with yourself, your new partner and trust the process. Don’t rush into anything. 

   

• What are your triggers? – If you were in an abusive relationship, you may have certain triggers. You might not be aware of these triggers until you take time out to study yourself properly. When you can identify these triggers, you can discuss them with your potential partner to help you manage them.

   

• Work With A Professional – A therapist can help you work through your trauma the right way. Consider seeking one to help guide you as you leave an abusive situation and enter a healthy one. Authentic Change Therapy specializes in healing after abuse and trauma, to empower you to have healthy, fulfilling relationships again.

   

Journaling allows you to look at your thoughts from a different perspective. Since it’s an aspect of a healthy lifestyle for your mind, you should consider adding other healthy activities to your to-do list, such as meditation, maintaining a balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and steering clear of substances like alcohol and other drugs. 

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, stress or just feel like arranging your thoughts, get yourself a journal. Write every day. Make it easy. There are no guidelines. It’s just you, your pen and a piece of paper. 

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