A couple of years ago I was a mouse, I'd had abusive partners, I was horrendously overweight, mentally ill and my career was stuck. I wondered if I'd ever meet a nice man.
I took control of my weight and my food. Not in a perverse manner, but in the sense of "my bod is a temple and I'm going to feed it nutritionally" and I started going to the gym on a daily basis before work.
The exercise made me feel invincible and my confidence soared. The physical strength gave me mental health. I do know everyone says to exercise and it's the hardest thing in the world when you feel "crap" with life but it really does help. You don't even need to run around sweating like a loony... wear baggy trackies if you want to and use the weights machine - no sweating needed - you'll soon be lifting more than men (oh my god the power trip! ).
I learned to release my anger at other people - not be the quiet mouse but if someone pisses me off then I push the problem back on them.
I also found that as my confidence grew, the type of man who "abuses" women was fearful of me - why would they want a strong, confident woman who'd kick them in the nuts physically AND metaphorically.
I actually found that lovely, sweet, kind, generous, thoughtful men were EVERYWHERE and I was beating them off with a shitty stick.
I truely believe that my own inner-happiness has led to those equally happy being drawn to me and I really believe that this is because I took control of my body - because this is the only damned thing we can really control in life.
xx