i need gentle advice to keep going :(
I feel so broken again. I know I made mistakes. I know there were times when I got angry and said hurtful things to him, and I take full responsibility for that. I’ve never denied it. But what hurts me the most is how quickly he gave up on me.
Every time I read success stories, I see words like “abusive” and “narcissist,” and they instantly remind me of the things he used to call me. It hurts so much because I’m already at the lowest point in my life.
He left without saying anything. He left me holding onto our relationship alone after promising me so many things that I trusted with all my heart. I know I’m struggling with insecurities and past trauma. It’s not that I don’t want to change or grow—I genuinely do. But healing isn’t easy when you grew up in a toxic and abusive household.
Just yesterday, my parents had another huge argument. I exploded at my mom because I felt like she ruined our family and pushed my dad to the point where he became so sick from carrying all the responsibilities alone. She never seemed to care about any of us. She’s even spoken badly about my SP and filled our lives with negativity. I’ve reached the point where I’ve completely cut her out of my life. I’m exhausted from dealing with my family, the uncertainty of my relationship, and my ex’s stubbornness and unwillingness to forgive.
Why couldn’t he just understand that I’m human too? This was my first serious relationship. I made mistakes, but doesn’t everyone? He promised me forever, yet he walked away the moment things became difficult. No matter how many times I tried to explain myself, he concluded that I was manipulative and disrespectful. Yes, I admit there were moments when I got angry and said things I regret, but I never intentionally tried to disrespect or manipulate him.
These past few weeks have been filled with overwhelming guilt, shame, and resentment. The saddest part is that this isn’t who I truly am. In real life, I’m a loving, caring, and affectionate person. It hurts that he judged my entire character based only on our conversations through a screen (because we’re long distance) when we hadn’t even met in person yet. I’m tired of waking up every day with anxiety. There were moments when I felt like giving up completely. But despite everything, I apologized as soon as I realized how much I’d hurt him because I genuinely wanted to change and become better. He never accepted my apology. Meanwhile, I forgave him so many times. I forgave him when he said things like “girls are whores” and judged women’s appearances and worth right in front of me. I chose forgiveness because I believed people could change.
So am I really this horrible person? Am I really a narcissist? Deep down, something keeps telling me not to give up. I continue affirming even on the days when I feel like I can’t go on anymore. I’ve survived an abusive childhood, a broken home, being cheated on in the past, and now being abandoned without any explanation. I’ve trusted people with my whole heart, and every time it feels like I’m the one left picking up the pieces.
It feels so unfair.
I don’t believe people are beyond growth. I believe people deserve the opportunity to become healthier, to take accountability, to heal, and to make things right when they’re genuinely willing to change.
I’m tired of hearing people say that someone who’s been labeled “abusive” or a “narcissist” has no hope. I don’t want comments telling me to give up or move on. If people in even worse situations have been able to change and build healthy relationships, why can’t I? Why can’t I have my own happiness too?
Right now, what I truly need is advice on how to forgive myself, let go of the guilt and shame from my past mistakes, stop being affected by what others say about me, and continue becoming a healthier version of myself.
I want to move forward with hope, not fear. I want to believe that people are capable of growth, healing, and becoming better.