Flowers bloom even after being stepped on. You are built to rise again. No matter who tried to crush you, your beauty and strength always find a way back to the light. Author unknown

#HealingHearts

It's surprising really, what the human body and spirit can endure and survive. I know firsthand how much we can come back from any setback.

Surviving can (and often does) feel daunting, but you've got what it takes. Blooms are coming. 🌼💐🌸

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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I grew up walking on eggshells, recognizing footsteps, tones. How to tell if someone was in a bad mood and to avoid them. I learned to study people at a young age. I'm quiet and observant for a reason. I'll read you like a book before we even speak. Author unknown

#HealingHearts

Abuse survivors learned things that helped us survive our environment. Is it okay to speak or should I stay quiet? Those lessons help me today.

I'm constantly surveying the spaces I'm in & I often know if you're safe before you say a word.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

💛💚💜

#HealingHearts

At perhaps the lowest point in my life where flashbacks of trauma were near constant I had a friend of 12 years tell me I was "too much".

That's the day I first learned what narcissism is. They need the focus solely on them, all the time.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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They said: "Hurt people hurt people." I answered: Not all hurt people hurt people. Some spend their lives making sure no one else feels what they did. Some break cycles. Some build safe spaces. Some turn pain into purpose. Hurt people don't just hurt people. Hurt people heal people too. Quotes cafe

#HealingHearts

I believe abusers have likely been abused. It's true that "hurt people hurt people". But.

There are countless more who've survived abuse & want nothing but to see others not suffer the same.

I want to offer my hand and say, "I'm here."

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Some people need to be told they are worthy, that they are loved, not because nobody ever told them before, but because somebody told them they weren't. Author unknown

#HealingHearts

I grew up truly believing I didn't have the right to take up space, never mind to be worthy of love. The actual words 'not worthy' weren't spoken, but the message was loud & clear.

Please know how very worthy you are and have always been.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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There's PTSD, then there's C-PTSD. PTSD is surviving a crash. C-PTSD is growing up inside the wreckage. Author unknown

#HealingHearts

This is the most apt description of C-PTSD I've seen. PTSD is serious trauma & takes years of healing work, & still your life may never be as it was prior to the trauma.

C-PTSD is exactly that: growing up inside the wreckage of a crash.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

💛💚💜

#HealingHearts

Survivors of abuse are stripped of any sense of control. When you're finally out of that environment, you often struggle to find as much order & predictability as possible.

This is a normal & natural response and no, you're not a freak. 💐

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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You're nervous system doesn't heal just because time has passed. It heals when something safe and loving happens enough times for it to finally believe ... it's over now. @AJSELFGROWTH

#HealingHearts

It took me such a long time to reach a place where I could speak about the abuse I endured. When you're beaten & bruised in unspeakable ways over and over again, healing is going to take much longer than you'd like.

But you'll get there.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Sending love to everyone who is trying to rediscover their voice after life made them believe that silence was safer. Michell C. Clark

#HealingHearts

Abuse survivors are often afraid to speak of the abuse. Being quiet feels safer. It can be fear of fallout from family or retribution from the perpetrator(s).

I'm no longer afraid. If my words help you until you find your voice, I'm here.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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For those of us who have suffered ongoing abuse from young childhood onwards... We don't have a 'pre-trauma' us. We don't know what it is like to not be someone suffering and surviving abuse. All we know is being someone, trying to survive abuse and all the severe lifelong effects of prolonged child abuse. ~ Lily Hope Lucario

#HealingHearts

Some of us don't have a 'before'. We were born into an abusive life and it's all we know. We live our lives not knowing what safe is; who we can trust.

It takes much longer to get to a safe place. I know it's hard. I hope you keep going. 💐

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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The moment your gut says no, it's a no. You can unpack the details later. TheGoodQuote

#HealingHearts

The most important thing you can do is follow your instincts without questioning them. Worst case? It was an error. More likely you've saved yourself from something unsafe.

Remember: your gut knows what's up before you can figure it out.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Complex trauma means we were hurt over, & over, & over again, often by people we should've been able to trust. That kind of harm won't heal with a one time, dramatic moment of "letting it go". We heal from complex trauma day by day, in little gestures of consistent self care. Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle

#HealingHearts

People on a healing path from child abuse want it 'over' ASAP & who can blame them? So much damage happens when you've been traumatized for years; it's going to take time.

But the day will come when you'll feel the shift. It's worth it.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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It's up to us to break generational curses. When they say i"t runs in the family", you tell them "and this is where it runs out'. Enlightened Consciousness

#HealingHearts

Child abuse in families has often happened for generations. Family members know what's going on, stay quiet, & the behavior often repeats.

When you work on healing, it's not only for yourself but your children and theirs. Break the cycle.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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People don't want to be talked out of their feelings. People want to be heard, seeing, felt, and understood. - Rachel Samson

#HealingHearts

Children who grow up in an abusive environment have their feelings dismissed routinely. So much so that they often dismiss their feelings as adults.

Being heard and understood is an important part of healing. Really listening is a gift. 💐

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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This is my life... my story... my book. I will no longer let anyone else write it; nor will I apologize for the edits I make. - Steve Maraboli

#HealingHearts

What a wonderful feeling it is when enough healing has happened and you are ready to be the author of your own life!

It's not an easy road, but the day will come when you're able to put yourself first. It's not selfish, it's your right.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower. Alexander Den Heijer

#HealingHearts

One of the toughest hurdles for survivors in recovery is being able to accept that they did not cause the abuse.

There was never anything wrong with you that 'made' anyone abuse you. It was all on them. 💐

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Hi. Trauma literally changes your brain and body. It's not your fault. @anxiety.positive

#HealingHearts

Survivors of trauma have to deal with all the "side effects" that happen because of trauma. Your brain is hyper aware of possible threats. Changes in your body too: the tightening of muscles that carry the memory.

Go easy on yourself.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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You will never regret believing and standing with a child. You will regret when one day that grown child looks you in the eye and says, 'you didn't believe me'. Believe the child. Paula Goodwin DefendSurvivors.org

#HealingHearts

A child has no frame of reference to describe an abusive encounter if it didn't happen. It's incredibly painful to hear a child tell you that something so horrible happened, but it's not a lie.

Believe the child.

#BelieveSurvivors

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Many trauma survivors become skilled at hiding their pain because they've learned that it isn't always safe to let others see it. Madeline Popelka @HealingFromPTSD

#HealingHearts

Survivors learn to be quiet and not ask for anything because being noticed can signal abuse. I smiled and said, "I'm fine" when I wasn't for decades just to be left alone.

Please know your healing will help you learn when love is safe. 🤍

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Let's be good to people for no reason simply because kindness can make someone's day a little brighter. Unknown

#HealingHearts

Sometimes you just have "one of those days", hopefully not too many. I'm stepping back today as I simply don't have the emotional bandwidth to handle anything more than what's absolutely necessary.

Take care of yourself first. Always. 🪻

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

💛💚💜

Your nervous system doesn't heal just because time has passed. It heals when something safe and loving happens enough times for it to finally believe ... it's over now.

#HealingHearts

Healing from abuse takes time. A lot of time. It wasn't until I grasped just how much had been done, repeatedly, to fracture my soul that I saw it would take multiple positive experiences to finally feel safe.

You are worth the effort. 💐

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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I see your pain, and it's big. I also see your courage, and it's bigger. You can do hard things. - Glennon Doyle

#HealingHearts

I want to acknowledge the people who are on a healing path after surviving abuse. I know the deep pain & loneliness.

Your pain may feel unbearable but you're making progress. Try to trust the process. Healing happens, but yes, it hurts.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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psst. hey. it wasn't the trauma that made you stronger, kinder, and more empathetic. it's how you handled it. that credit is yours.

#HealingHearts

I often hear that the trauma and abuses I endured made me stronger, and I guess that makes sense. Slowly however, I began to see that the strength comes from the work we put in.

We get the credit for our growth. 🌷

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefitting from you having none.

#HealingHearts

For survivors, setting boundaries is so much harder than you may think. There are no boundaries in abuse. Abusers do what they want when they want.

Naturally, the pushback when you begin setting boundaries is intense. But it feels so good.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Telling a survivor to "Leave it in the past" is dismissing the reality of their nervous system and body. No one wants to relive traumatic experiences on an ongoing basis. Survivors respond to past trauma because they are traumatized, not because they're unwilling to let go. Nate Postlethwait - Thirdeyethirst

#HealingHearts

Survivors of abuse want nothing more than to leave what's happened to them in the past but it's called trauma for a reason. Without working on healing, our memories intrude at will.

With time & effort it lessens and opens us up to peace.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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It breaks my heart knowing there are so many beautiful souls out there questioning their worth because someone they loved made them feel unlovable. APRZYWOLSKI

#HealingHearts

Children in abusive environments grow up with no sense of their own value because the focus is on the abuser(s).

Getting out of there doesn't make self-worth magically appear. It takes so much work.

Please know you are so worthy & loved.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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May you find the courage to disappoint people who expect you to stay small. Michell C. Clark / Her Empowering Mindset

#HealingHearts

As you heal from trauma, you will encounter pushback from those in your life who benefit from you continuing just as you are. That's for them.

It's time to do the things for you that bring you peace and so much more. You deserve peace.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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We don't heal first and love later. We heal in love. Through love. Around love. In the presence of people who are safe enough, stable enough, willing enough to walk with us through the hard stuff. -Todd Baratz

#HealingHearts

People who have been traumatized cannot truly heal without first getting a sense of safety. Healing from abuse and trauma needs loving care. We will stay in our mess and confusion if we don't feel safe enough to take the hard steps.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave even if you stumble a little on your way out the door. - Mandy Hale

#HealingHearts

Do whatever you need to in order to remove yourself from unhealthy situations. It doesn't matter how it looks; what matters is that you continue to take steps that are in your best interest.

It's not always easy, but your healing is.

#CSASurvivor
#CPTSD
#Pinks
#ProudBlue

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