A Life, Folded

Are you a fierce champion of others? Are you always at the ready to defend the underdog? Have you noticed, though, that you often struggle with these type of activities when it comes to taking care of yourself? For many of us, we have spent our entire lives having to deny our needs in order to survive. But, when we learn that we are worthy of self-care too and that we are the person best poised to offer that self-care, beautiful things can begin to happen.

#alifefolded #betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery #betrayaltraumahealing #selflove #selfcare #selfimprovment #selfawareness #selfreflection #selfloveisthebestlove #selfcarewithpurpose #selfcarewins #selfcarewin

For many of us, growing up with problematic family dynamics or being partnered with emotionally abusive individuals has caused us to become people pleasers. These relationships have left us feeling like there is something inherently wrong with us and we are unlovable. We learned, perhaps at a very young age, that we had to audition or work really hard to earn love. Over time, we might even begin to view healthy partners as boring or that their behavior toward us is not really love, because it isn't challenging. But as we work on our healing, we will desire to show up as our true selves, and not settle for relationships where we are not loved for who we are...flaws and all. 

#alifefolded #unconditionallyloved #unconditionallove #selfcare #selfloveisthebestlove #selflovematters #selfloved #thinkingpatterns

Have you ever felt horrible about taking care of yourself? For removing yourself from toxic situations, which may have ramifications elsewhere, such as with your children's feelings. I have and I realized that I was experiencing survivor's guilt. I understand that desire to protect your children and others from pain, but I also deeply know and believe that we all have the right to be happy and at peace. The challenging life circumstances we go through can make us stronger and more compassionate individuals. The same is true for people who suffer from the fallout of you being betrayed. We don't have to sacrifice our happiness to protect others from grappling with difficult truths.  

#alifefoded #survivorsguilt #divorcing #hope #betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery #betrayaltraumahealing #cheatinghurts #selflove #symptomsmatter #nervoussystemhealing #traumainformed #healingjourney #manipulation #manipulationtactics #manipulationawareness #narcissist #narcissisticabuseawareness #narcissisticabuserecovery #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissistic #narcissistsaredangerous #glowup #GlowUpSeason #glowUpJourney

One of the most common questions I hear is: How will I know if my partner has changed? Can people really change? The answer, of course, is yes...with an exception. Cluster B personality-disordered people do not change, because they think nothing is wrong with them. Take words with a grain of salt and look for actions to determine true intent to change. 

#alifefolded #manipulation #manipulationtactics #manipulationawareness #narcissist #narcissisticabuseawareness #narcissisticabuserecovery #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissistic #narcissistsaredangerous #gaslightingrecovery #gaslighting #gaslightingawareness #gaslightingsurvivor #gaslighting101 #glowup #GlowUpSeason #glowUpJourney #cannarcissitschange #donarcissistschange

After being betrayed, abused by a narcissist, or suffering through the devastating realization of your partner's pornography use, you may feel broken. That you have nothing of value left to give. That is simply not true. We all have a divine, unique reason for being on the earth at this moment. We all have been enriched with individual talents and gifts that bring value to those around us. What is your purpose and how will you bless the world, simply by being you? 

#alifefolded #PurposeDriven #purpose #purposefulliving #UniqueYou #helpingothers #helping #helpingpeople #youmatter #youmattermorethanyouknow #YouMatterAlways #healingjourney #healing #DivineDestiny #devinedesign #GoForIt #stepintoyourpower #giftsandtalents #nonfiction #nonfictionreads #selfhelpbooks #empowerment #empowerwomen #empoweringwomen #empoweredwomen

Spencer J. Condie, Russell M. Nelson : Father, Surgeon, Apostle (2003), 192

There is nothing fair about the fallout of going through betrayal trauma, being cheated on and manipulated, and being forced to pick up your life after it has exploded in your face due to actions of someone you deeply loved. But is there a way to reframe the message such that it honors your pain yet allows you to heal and start your healing?

#itsnotfair #alifefolded #depressionisnotajoke #depressionslife #depressionfighter #yourlifematters #youarenotalone #hope #betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery #betrayaltraumahealing #cheatinghurts #selflove #symptomsmatter #divorce #divorcing #nervoussystemhealing #traumainformed #healingjourney

When you experience betrayal trauma in your life, it often causes resultant symptoms that can mirror PTSD. There are common behavioral, emotional, and even physical symptoms after you have been betrayed by your intimate partner. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, they are completely normal and you are not alone.

#alifefolded #depressionisnotajoke #depressionslife #depressionfighter #yourlifematters #youarenotalone #hope #betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery #betrayaltraumahealing #cheatinghurts #selflove #symptomsmatter #nervoussystemhealing #traumainformed #healingjourney

Once you start to understand, heal, grow, exert boundaries, and improve yourself in any way, you will encounter the ire of the narcissists in your life. Cluster B personality-disordered individuals want you captive in the quagmire of their manipulation, gaslighting, and abuse. When you begin to break free, you might be a cause of their mask slipping, revealing to the world the monster behind the persona. Whenever they are called on their reprehensible behavior, they begin to hate you and you will forever be their enemy. But these intimidation tactics should never stop us from distancing ourselves and healing our wounds. We all deserve peace and genuine relationships in our lives.

#alifefolded #manipulation #manipulationtactics #manipulationawareness #narcissist #narcissisticabuseawareness #narcissisticabuserecovery #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissistic #narcissistsaredangerous #gaslightingrecovery #gaslighting #gaslightingawareness #gaslightingsurvivor #gaslighting101 #glowup #GlowUpSeason #glowUpJourney

People often rationalize emotional affairs as harmless because they are "just emotional." But, the opposite is true. Emotional affairs are cheating. Emotional affairs crumble relationships as one partner goes to another for support, affirmation, and validation. This often leads to secrecy, shame, and unhealthy comparisons. This groundwork of intense emotional connection often leads to physical affairs. Porn is also another type of emotional affair, taking time and energy away from the primary relationship. If your partner has engaged in emotional affairs, your feelings of betrayal are valid. Don't let anyone tell you that emotional affairs are not cheating and that your feelings of devastation and deep pain are not valid. 

#EmotionalAffair #pornischeating #hope #betrayaltrauma #betrayaltraumarecovery #betrayaltraumahealing #cheatinghurts #selflove

A small act of service on a difficult day changed the trajectory of my life and how I viewed everything moving forward. As we are navigating the excruciating pain of betrayal trauma and abuse at the hands of the narcissist, it is easy to begin thinking that we contribute nothing good to the world. But, take heart, the kindness learned through refining experiences do bless the world. You bless the world. 

#alifefolded #betrayaltrauma #grief #griefhealing #betrayaltraumarecovery #ActsofKindness #actsofservice #ActsofLove #SmallActsBigImpact #SmallActsofKindnessChallenge #SmallActsofKindness #SmallActsBigLove #giving #giveback