I believe in not always going with the status quo. It wasn’t always that way. There were many times that no matter what I thought or how I fought, how much noise I made, I felt muted.
No one saw the signs, no one saw the bruises. And in a strange way, that often takes a lot to understand, neither did I. I could think of my time being abused by someone who I thought loved me as lost years, but I refuse. Instead, I believe it made me stronger. I got over it. I somehow found the strength that was so many times dormant to say no. No more.
One day, I just broke away. I didn’t know the damage that had been done to me and wouldn’t for a while. when I did I was lucky to have the support needed, the resources to get away and being to heal. It took far longer than I would ever think to overcome the constant fear, the anxiety and issues that would stem from being in an abusive relationship.
Badge of Honor. Badge of Hope. Badge of Empowerment.
When I wear this necklace I am not only reminded of my fight but my strength. It is my symbol of how far I have come, how strong I am, even if I was always told I was weak. I am not. I am stronger than I could ever have imagined and I am proud of all that I have surpassed and achieved. Because 33% of teens who were in a violent relationship never tell anyone. That is never going to be me. I will always tell my story.
This is my fight. It is my duty to continue to wear this necklace and educate those around me of the signs of domestic abuse and how to get the help you or someone else needs. The statistic should never be 1 in 3 teens experiencing violence in a relationship. Think about how that warps you and changes your ideas about your future. That alone is enough to act and reach out, don’t you think?
Find out more at Love is Respect and the National Network to End Domestic Violence. You can even get a little shopping in as a small way of helping out.
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Proud of you!
Thank you! It’s been a long journey.
Wow. Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s such an important cause.
Thank you for all your link love Amelia! 🙂 I keep saying I will write a book, but so far I have only about 3 chapters in a fictionalized version. Someday.
What a great cause! Thank you for sharing.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Thanks for sharing! Your girls are blessed with a strong mom! <3
Thank you so much! That means so much to me!
You are awesome. Way to speak up and speak truth.
Thanks for inviting me to link up with you! Thanks for sharing your story of empowerment… so inspiring!
such a lovely necklace!
kelseybang.com
Thank you, Kelsey!