Reclaiming Your Strength After Abuse

Abuse—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—can leave invisible scars that run deep. It wears away at your spirit, your self-worth, and your ability to trust. I know this pain firsthand, having survived abuse myself. The journey to reclaiming your strength isn’t easy, but it is possible. You are not powerless, no matter how much control someone else has tried to take from you.

Healing starts with recognizing that abuse in any form is never acceptable. It’s about understanding that you deserve safety, love, and respect. Strength isn’t about enduring—it’s about finding the courage to break free, to reach out for support, and to rebuild the pieces of yourself that have been broken.

The Impact of Abuse on the Soul

Abuse does more than just hurt physically or emotionally—it affects the soul at its deepest level. When someone continually manipulates or harms you, it breaks down your sense of identity and worth. You may begin to doubt your own thoughts, question your value, or feel trapped in a cycle of shame and guilt. These are the spiritual scars left behind, and while invisible, they can feel impossible to heal. But healing is possible. Reclaiming your soul starts by understanding that abuse is not your fault, and you deserve to live free from fear and pain.

The Journey of Reclaiming Strength

Reclaiming your strength doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a path filled with small victories. The first step is recognizing the abuse—whether emotional, physical, or psychological. Many people stay in abusive relationships because they don’t realize they’re being abused. If someone is controlling, manipulating, or hurting you, it’s abuse.

Once you recognize the signs, the next step is asking for help. Often, victims of abuse feel isolated and believe no one will understand. But reaching out—whether to a friend, family member, or professional—is the first act of reclaiming your power. Abuse thrives in isolation; connection breaks its hold.

Setting boundaries is crucial. Boundaries are about protecting yourself, both physically and emotionally. They can take many forms—whether that’s leaving a situation, seeking a legal restraining order, or even blocking communication with someone who harms you. The key is to reclaim the space that is yours and protect it from further harm.

Learning to Trust Again

After abuse, one of the hardest things to do is trust again—both in others and in yourself. Abuse damages your inner compass, leaving you unsure of who to trust or if you can trust your own decisions. Part of the healing journey is rebuilding self-trust first. When you start to listen to and honor your instincts, you’ll find your confidence growing. From there, learning to trust others will follow, with discernment and patience. It’s a process, but you are capable of choosing who deserves to be in your life.

Breaking the Cycle

Often, victims of abuse find themselves in repeated patterns of toxic or abusive relationships. This is not a reflection of weakness or failure but rather the result of the emotional wounds left behind by the original abuse. Breaking the cycle requires healing through self-compassion and learning what healthy relationships look like. Seeking out Professional support and utilizing tools such as EMDR, Somatic Breath Work, Inner Child Work, Coaching, Therapy, Self Care practices, are all tools to help you move forward. When you begin to value and care for yourself, it becomes easier to recognize toxic behavior and avoid it.

Educating yourself about healthy relationship dynamics is also essential. Understanding the difference between love and control, between respect and manipulation, will empower you to seek out and nurture relationships that truly support and uplift you.

Finding Freedom

Escaping abuse is one of the most courageous things a person can do. Once you take that step, you begin the journey toward freedom—freedom to rediscover yourself, to heal, and to rebuild a life where you are no longer defined by pain. This road may be difficult, but it is full of moments where you’ll rediscover your strength, your joy, and your worth.

You are not alone. There is always support, and there is always hope. 💛

Help and Support Resources in Colorado

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, there are resources available to provide help and support in Colorado:

• Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence

  
  

  Website: www.violencefreecolorado.org

  
  

  Phone: 1-888-778-7091

• SafeHouse Denver (24-hour crisis line)

  
  

  Website: www.safehouse-denver.org

  
  

  Phone: 303-318-9989

• Violence Free Colorado

  
  

  Website: www.violencefreecolorado.org

  
  

  Phone: 303-831-9632

• The Blue Bench (for sexual assault survivors)

  
  

  Website: www.thebluebench.org

  
  

  Phone: 303-322-7273

• Project Safeguard (Legal Advocacy for Domestic Violence Victims)

  
  

  Website: www.psghelps.org

  
  

  Phone: 303-863-7233