by Arien Smith | Oct 22, 2019 | Healthy Relationships, Self-Empowerment
It’s difficult to love again after abuse. There may be compassionate and kind people who come into our life, but learning to trust them can seem nearly impossible. Or we settle for anything better than our past relationships—even if they aren’t great and we...
by Arien Smith | Sep 10, 2019 | Peace Through Acceptance, Self-Empowerment
Anger can be explosive, lashing out at anyone we care about—innocent or not. Or it can stay buried, festering into self-hatred or self-harm. Or maybe we reject the protective side of anger, letting people walk over us. Dealing with anger, no matter how it shows in...
by Arien Smith | Sep 3, 2019 | Self Love, Self-Empowerment
Wish you could believe in yourself, even in the face of criticism or doubt from others? Feeling hesitant about your decisions is normal after abuse. Your abuser had total control for a long time. It’s logical that confidence is hard to find after the attacks you...
by Arien Smith | Jul 30, 2019 | Healthy Relationships, Peace Through Acceptance, Self-Empowerment
Human touch. Something we all need, yet something many of us fear after abuse. It make sense touch is now scary. Previous displays of affection were often side by side with acts of violence. If you had asked me three years ago if I’d ever feel safe having sex, I...
by Arien Smith | Jun 18, 2019 | Self-Empowerment
Ah, the dreaded task of leaving an abuser… Most likely, if you’re on this blog, you already have left the people who hurt you (or at least the most severe ones), but that doesn’t mean you feel great about your decision. I bet you have some seriously...
by Arien Smith | Apr 23, 2019 | Healthy Relationships, Self-Empowerment
Loneliness is a part of being human, but it takes a greater toll on us survivors of abuse. We feel more isolated and dejected than your average person. A break up for us might mean complicated grief or a rise in feelings of abandonment. The death of someone...
by Arien Smith | Apr 10, 2019 | Overcome Obstacles and Challenges, Self-Empowerment
It’s because of the abuse you faced that you have low self-esteem. It’s not because of anything you did or who you are. But it feels like those two things are the reason right? Like there is something wrong with, well, you…? That’s because your...
by Arien Smith | Mar 6, 2019 | Self-Empowerment
Wish you could actually believe in yourself? That you could walk this world with an empowered mindset? Well, these 25 affirmations may be the perfect answer for you…as long as you know how to properly use them! Far too many people believe that affirmations are...
by Arien Smith | Dec 5, 2018 | Healthy Relationships, Powerful Coping Strategies, Self-Empowerment
Emotional vulnerability is a beautiful and empowering thing. It can lead to authentic and healthy relationships, increase our own self compassion, and bring us to greater places in healing. After abuse, though, it can be challenging to face the raw emotions that come...
by Arien Smith | Oct 10, 2018 | Build Your Dream Life, Self-Empowerment
It doesn’t matter that you’re just one person. You are a powerful person and you can make an impact in the world. When you do this, you’ll be lighting up your own life too. Abuse is a difficult hand to be dealt. It leaves us with a lot of painful emotions, memories,...
