Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group
Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.
I was in an emotionally abusive relationship with my ex-boyfriend for 17 months.
It's been difficult, but I have had no contact with him for two years.
I had photo albums, cds, love letters, love cards, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and decorative items that my ex-boyfriend gave me all throughout my house.
A few days ago, I packed the things that he gave me into the back storage room closet.
I cried last night, because I was so attached to the memory items he gave me during the course of our relationship.
Should I throw away the things my emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend gave me, or just keep them separate from the rest of the house?
I really really need some insight and advice, because I still feel pain when I think about our relationship. I am so confused. I might regret
letting go of my memory items of him... or I might find more freedom??
It's been difficult, but I have had no contact with him for two years.
I had photo albums, cds, love letters, love cards, clothes, shoes, jewelry, and decorative items that my ex-boyfriend gave me all throughout my house.
A few days ago, I packed the things that he gave me into the back storage room closet.
I cried last night, because I was so attached to the memory items he gave me during the course of our relationship.
Should I throw away the things my emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend gave me, or just keep them separate from the rest of the house?
I really really need some insight and advice, because I still feel pain when I think about our relationship. I am so confused. I might regret
letting go of my memory items of him... or I might find more freedom??
When my H moved out last year, at first I didn't want to change anything in the house. Gradually, I started "noticing" things, such as a picture of us together and smiling, that just really hurt to look at, so I would put it away. Little by little, I have gotten rid of more and more of his stuff or given it to him or put it away.
The latest thing I have gotten rid of was the collection of teddy bears he gave me over the past 17 years of dating and marriage. I suddenly realized I hated those bears. You know why? Because just about every one of them was given to me as an "apology", with an apology card, after being abusive to me. I kept them all these years thinking they were a sign of his love for me, when now I know what they really symbolize.
It can be very freeing to let go.