Category: Personal Stories
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Gaslighting, Manipulation, and Emotional Abuse
Gaslighting and manipulation do not always look obvious. Sometimes they happen so gradually that you begin questioning your own memories, reactions, and understanding of what happened. This article explores how emotional abuse distorts reality—and how to begin trusting yourself again.
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When Boundaries Make You Look Like the Bad Guy
Why protecting yourself can look like cruelty to people who benefited from your lack of limits “If your boundaries make you the villain, wear that title with pride.” — Unknown They were right. I had changed. As I described in last week’s article, I am not the same person I was when I drank or…
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Yes, I Am A Different Person
Meet Ashley 5.0 People sometimes say certain things as though they are insults. “You’ve changed.”“You are not the same person you used to be.”“I don’t even recognize you anymore.” I do not really take being told I have changed as an insult. Of course I have changed. I am not intoxicated all the time anymore.…
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Happy Chemical Series Part 7 (final): The Brain Behind This Hot Mess
A Summary of the Happy Chemicals and How They Have Shaped My Life Content warning: This article discusses addiction, trauma, domestic violence, grief, death, anxiety, depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Please take care of yourself while reading. 💜 Over the past several weeks, I have written about the chemicals and systems that influence motivation, mood,…
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Part 4 Of The Happy Chemical Series: Oxytocin
Why Humans Need Humans 💜 Content Warning This article discusses trauma, addiction, depression, grief, isolation, and unhealthy relationship patterns. Introduction When most people think about happiness, they think about excitement. They think about achieving a goal, getting a promotion, buying something they’ve wanted, falling in love, or experiencing a moment of joy. Those experiences certainly…
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