To ask for your stories of hope after emotionally abusive relationships?

[Bleak7]

I sense that I am about to be dumped from my second emotionally abusive relationship. The rest of my life is falling apart and I feel completely lost.

Can anyone share their stories of hope after emotional abuse? Be that single or with a future partner. I'm worried I'll never be loved again. I ruminate constantly over my part in these break-ups. All of my friends who are dating are having a nightmare and I have little in the way of family. I could do with a big hug right now.

My ex was pretty emotionally abusive at times. He once screamed in my face because some food he'd bought for himself and put into the fridge had gone out of date without him realising/ eating it. Apparently I should have known to remind him. Another time we were having a pleasant conversation and he flipped on me and slammed the kitchen door so hard the pane of glass in it cracked because me talking had made him miss something on ebay he'd wanted to bid on (and not told me about) which had now ended.

Anyway eventually after years of dating he hit me in the face- just once- first time he'd ever done it- but in front of a friend so there was no pretending he hadn't done it. And it was like a curtain lifted for me and the relationship was over right then. Fast forward just over a year and I met the man I later went on to marry and have two children with. The difference is night and day. I am supported and loved and no longer on eggshells. I had wasted so much energy before him in trying to date right and text at the right time and when I met my husband it was so easy absolutely none of that mattered. I think now if it's hard then you are forcing it and it's not meant to be.

Don't lose faith OP. You can't see the future yet, but I do think there is someone out there for everyone. I take great joy in watching all the misfits and oddballs I knew from school meet and settle down with someone who is just perfect for them.

I always chose the wrong people to have relationships with. 5 years ago, after a particularly bad one, I went to hypnotherapy and my life has changed. It helped me address my codependent tendencies and I'm now very happy and independent. I used to think I could only be happy through a relationship with a man. Now I'm living my best life - happier than I have ever been, new friends, creative projects and blissfully single 🥳🤩

Honestly? Therapy to work out why you repeat patterns. Learn how to build strong boundaries and defend them. Know and love yourself. Stay single. After an awful marriage of 25 years, which was preceeded by a physically abusive relationship, I can honestly say that being single is the happiest I have ever been.

The freedom to make your own decisions and do what you want, when you want (or not), without compromise is something that I appreciate every day. Into the eighth year of single life for me and I am happy and content.