Snap. I would also add laughter

The door is open. Welcome to the site. Wishing you luck in your search.

woah spam alert. lol did you just quote everybody?... but me?

It takes a lot of strength to get out of those situations so if you are able to stay out of it and start a new life, good for you.

Having been through similar my best advice, if you wanted it, would be to get counseling. Reason being, all that damage that he has done to you in all this time has altered your mind. I did not get counseling and have been working through things so slowly that it has effected me in my later relationships. From choosing the wrong man to how I dealt with him after the choice, I made bad choices from my mind not being right. To help your coming choices get some counseling so you will suffer less down the road.

Good luck.

I have been in your shoes. He didn't cheat that I know of but he gambled. He was verbally abusive but not physically although there were times I did fear that might happen. I know now that I should have ended it long before I did. For years we lived in the same house but separate lives. I concentrated on raising my boys. It has been 2 years since we separated and 8 months that we have been divorced. It took awhile until I was able to realize that his behavior was his problem and not mine. Although my friends felt I should jump back into the dating pool, I knew myself well enough to know that I was not ready. I had spent so much time taking care of my family that I didn't even remember who I once was. I am getting to know the real me again.

Everyone is different. You know what you need better than anyone else. Put the past behind you and be happy that you are free to make new choices for yourself. Get over the bitterness. Instead look at him as the fool who threw away the gift of your love. He may never know what a fool he was but you do and that is all that you need to move forward. He didn't deserve your heart. I hope in time that you find someone who appreciates you and cherishes you. In the meantime enjoy getting to know yourself again. I did and I found that I really do like the person I am. Good Luck in your new life

First things first stop beating yourself up over it.....being a psych major you should now that when you are in a situation or too close to the situation the classic signs aren't visible to you.....you gave it your best shot you fell in love and domestic abuse happened because he attacked your self worth successfully....what I would do is whatever makes you feel good about you...find your center get back to your core through social activities and hobbies you enjoy but gave up.....you gave up yourself and its time to take it back....journaling....gardening....yoga...meditation...art....music whatever it is that makes you the unique and loveable individual you are.....and last but not least forgive yourself and don't self-loath.....you are on the path to self-actualization and no one can take away that or you but you

Keep busy, by worrying about you for a while.
Return to your 'whole' self.
Get yourself happy with who you are.
There is strength in this.
Mourn, then put it away.
You are right, they will forever own
a piece of you.
You gave them that right, once.
Then.
You mingle.
A new attraction does wonders for the soul :-)

Do you feeling the abusive behaviour has led to trauma which may need to be addressed? Do you feel you need to work on boundaries and insecurities which may have made you prone to entering this type of relationship? Remember there is a difference between psychology (academic) and therapy/counseling (application). You take good care of yourself now.

now i can remember why i DO NOT date and SHOULD NOT date! a man contacted me from this site approx a week ago. i was extremely honest about what im dealing with and gone thru. he doesnt text but gave me his number portraying himself to be a man who cares and offering his friendship. i told him it was easier to text than for me to sit on the phone for hours talking, as i have MUCH i have to do. i had merely left my husband a coupel days prior to this and have to find a job, home, car, furnishing since i left wiht only a handful of clothes, dealing with being sick, running and hiding from him, etc... so because i was unable to call him in approx a weeks time i get an email this morning telling me what a piece of crap i am, im a game player, im worthless, etc... WOW! see, it doesnt even pay to be honest... im floored! it seems there are people out there that thrive off of other ppl's hardships. im a magnet for the sociopathic/narcissitic personalities i swear.... funny part, there are MANY on this site who ive become close personal friends with for years who can tell him he was so very wrong in his diagnosis of me. im so sorry i coudlnt put my entire life on hold to sit on the phone for hours talking... im so aggrivated right now.... WOW

wow!

You're new here. Give it some time and you'll realize not to take everything so seriously all the time. I know this was a more serious thread, but there's no need to feel offended by any of it.

Hope you enjoy the site!

hmm...googling now...but a little afraid.