Very brief background. I've been separated from my very abusive STBXH for around a year. He was abusive in every way possible for our 20 year marriage. He stays in contact, wanting us to be "amicable". This is because he is emotionally very dependent on me. He has asked and asked to come back - he left - but I've always said no.
My life is very peaceful now, but I have some concerns. I'll likely keep my home, I have work I like and materially I'll be ok.
But where have my emotions gone? It's not that I don't feel anything, but everything's muted. I meditate and when I attempt to look at how I feel, there's nothing there. I can't tell what I'm feeling.
The ending of my marriage was very painful, oddly, with infidelity on his part and he strung out the leaving, so I didn't know what would happen for nearly two years. He'd persuaded me I'd not be able to manage without him ( I do fine) and I was full of fear and hurt for years. Majority of the marriage. There were always threats of leaving and I'd "end up with nothing.".
Will my emotions come back? All I really want to do is work, come home and potter. The only time I feel "alive" is when I'm walking in remote countryside, experiencing the elements. Alone.
I have children and little grandchildren and I think I'm missing out on them and them me. We have a good relationship but I don't feel I'm really "present".
I'm sure this is some kind of self protective thing my brain is doing, but is it forever? Anyone else gone through this? I feel like I've been bullied out of my life and me. I've gone into hiding to protect myself and don't know how to come back to life.
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Where have my feelings gone? Emotional numbing after abuse.
17 replies
aLeafFa11s · 29/01/2016 22:26
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