He's using the kids to keep control

The kids are more resilient than the fear tells you. Steady and honest is enough. Please be gentle with yourself. You are doing something incredibly hard.

One year out and I promise there is a version of you on the other side of this who is okay.

Sending you so much strength. The first few weeks are the hardest and they do pass.

I felt this in my chest. You are not failing. You are surviving something most people never have to.

Practical tip: open your own bank account today, even with $20 in it. You will thank yourself.

A counsellor on here offered a free first session and it genuinely changed the trajectory of my year.

One year out and I promise there is a version of you on the other side of this who is okay.