REASONS TO SEE FORGIVENESS AS EMOTIONAL SELF CARE

Seeing forgiveness as emotional self-care may sound strange. Especially if you experienced an abuser telling you to forgive when they haven’t changed. Forgiveness can be premature if done too early. Refocusing on you and your emotions is an important step in healing. Allow yourself to feel anger and find ways to recover from the pain […]

EMPOWERING RESPONSES FOR SETTING BOUNDARIES

Time Out and Broken Record are the last two conflict management skills. As with any assertive skill, assess your safety if someone has a history of being abusive.

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS: REQUEST AND REFUSAL

This assertive communication skills series begins with two self-defining skills: assertive request and assertive refusal.

ASSERTIVE BELIEFS

Assertive Beliefs is the seventh blog in my empowerment series for victims of partner abuse. You must believe you have the right to be assertive before using skills: this article builds that foundation. It covers definitions, benefits, beliefs that may interfere, an assertiveness skills list, and steps to work on the belief that you have the right to stand up for yourself.

CHANGING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Noticing and adjusting your thoughts is an important mental health skill for everyone. Change negative thinking and you’ll change your life.

CENTERING SELF-CARE TO REGAIN YOUR RIGHTS AND POWER

Centering self-care de-stresses and connects you to your emotions and thoughts. This creates a resilient buffer from all stress, including abuse. By regaining your former self-care methods and perhaps adding new ones, you can reconnect with yourself and regain your power.