Sexual Abuse Support Group
Sexual abuse is a relative cultural term used to describe sexual relations and behavior between two or more parties which are considered criminally and/or morally offensive. Different types of sexual abuse involve: Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior such as rape, incest or sexual assault, or psychological forms of abuse, such as verbal sexual behavior or...
In another thread the question came up:
I wonder what positive things we can do to combat [these issues] other than therapy?
By issues the thread was talking about things like:
- speaking up for ourselves
- trusting ourselves and others
- feeling safe
- enjoying sex
etc.
So...let's see what kind of list we can come up with.
Besides therapy, what has helped you deal with some of your most pressing issues that have come up as a result of your healing?
I wonder what positive things we can do to combat [these issues] other than therapy?
By issues the thread was talking about things like:
- speaking up for ourselves
- trusting ourselves and others
- feeling safe
- enjoying sex
etc.
So...let's see what kind of list we can come up with.
Besides therapy, what has helped you deal with some of your most pressing issues that have come up as a result of your healing?
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
-
This weekend is the unofficial start of the Summer so... let's compile the greatest summer themed playlist! Add songs that makes references to the season itself or anything attributed with the summer like dealing with the heat, going to the beach, having fun in the sun, water sports, barbecues, kids being out of school, going on vacations, et al.
Self-awareness has been a HUGE part of my healing.
In truth, my time in therapy when I was about 15 wasn't really instrumental in my healing. I think I was way too young at the time. I couldn't make good use of what she was saying. I just needed to go through what I was going through then.
I didn't go to any other therapy after that and eventually, at age 26 started working through it all on my own with workshops, and books, self-inquiry, and a lot of self-awareness.
I also focus on one aspect of my healing at a time usually. So if it's about speaking up for myself, then I try to just pay attention to that during the day.
I watch for all the opportunities to speak up for myself. If I do it, no matter how small, I notice and thank myself for doing that.
If I don't speak up for myself, then I notice what fears were there that stopped me from being able to speak up for myself freely. Then I work with those fears later so that I can understand them better.
The single focus for a day or even a week can really make a big difference.
But when I was really down in the dumps, I'd focus on self-care in terms of eating, drinking, bathing, etc. And just one at a time.
Not that I didn't do the others, but I would really pay attention to one of them so I could be more aware of how I was relating to that aspect my life.
I would work on each issue slowly and one at a time. That worked really well for me. However, the top 3 issues from the other thread are things that I couldn't over come using those things. So I am hoping I get some good ideas out of this thread.
Modeling nude at 275 lbs. Check out my journals.
I did therapy for several months and It gave me a self-awareness I don't think I would have gotten else where. There are certain things that are not specifically covered in self-help books. However, I learned so much about myself, that it gave me several directions to help find some books to help me further my healing.
I think we have to understand how we function and allowing ourselves to feel our emotions instead of letting them brew inside of us. LovingHumanBeing, you have, as usual, an excellent idea of focusing on one aspect of your healing. I will do that. Its seems a lot more manageable than trying to focus on all areas at the same time.
I'm learning to speak up for myself
Trusting myself
Trusting men
Feeling confident with myself
Taking care of my inner child (I think this are is probably something we all need to heal)
pardon ourselves from guilt
spend time in the sunlight
have fun with friends
be honest
What I like about them all is that they're centered around us and not about what other people are doing or not doing. It's about doing stuff FOR our sake.
Stefanie - I'm glad your therapy was helpful in your self-awareness. I think therapy can definitely serve in that way - especially when you're willing to be there and do the work. Awesome. :-)
2. Meditation
3. My girlfriends :)
4. A support system of therapy, DS, and my work
5. A good glass of wine
Having fun -- I love to dance, swim, act silly. My sense of humor has kept me alive.
I have mixed feelings about therapy. It helped keep me alive during a difficult time in my healing. But I don't like the power dynamics, and I'm very private so I like discovering things on my own.
Blessings.
Fearless Living/Loving by Rhondan Britten
The Courage to be Yourself by oops I forgot the authur but the title should be enough.