| It is common knowledge that when one is beaten | | | | recognizing and caring for oneself. This keeps you in |
| down, they feel beaten down. So it's no wonder that | | | | the "I am abused position." Instead, it is time to |
| domestic abuse survivors frequently suffer from | | | | know, honor and nourish yourself in every way, |
| depression. We see this in individuals living in an | | | | shape and form that is physically possible for you. |
| abusive relationship, and in those having left their | | | | 4) Cultivate Self-compassion |
| abuser. | | | | When the blow hurts and the pain aches, embrace it. |
| What is it that makes it possible for these people to | | | | Running from it prevents it from resolving itself. |
| heal their depression? The following actions to avoid, | | | | Exercise self-compassion. Be with yourself just as |
| and steps to take, are essential to the resolution of | | | | you would be with a small child who is wounded in a |
| depression for domestic abuse survivors. | | | | playground. |
| 1) Stop Negative self-talk | | | | 5) Find and rekindle that which you love...that comes |
| Even though you might be accustomed to hearing | | | | from within |
| how you can't, you won't, you don't, you aren't, | | | | "That comes from within" is the key to this one. Now |
| there is no need for you to pick up where s/he left | | | | this may be the hard one because so much time has |
| off. Doing so only sustains the battering. Only | | | | been spent on not recognizing anything is within. It is |
| difference is it's from the inside out. | | | | of utmost importance that you find that which you |
| 2) Un-shoulder responsibility for battering | | | | love...that comes from within, and make this your |
| Un-shoulder any remnants of your shouldering | | | | primary focus. As you focus on it, it will expand. You |
| responsibility for the abuse. Battering is fully owned, | | | | know what you focus on expands. That which we |
| operated and controlled by the perpetrator and no | | | | bring energy to brings more of it onto us. |
| one else. Your willingness to shoulder the responsibility | | | | Bonus Tip: Focus on what you have; not what you |
| for the abuse is part of what keeps the abuse | | | | don't have. You've been inundated with the message |
| dynamic going. Let it go! It's not yours. | | | | that you aren't enough...you're amiss in this, that and |
| 3) Avoid self-deprivation | | | | the other. Over time you develop the habit of seeing |
| Self-deprivation may have been the norm in your | | | | yourself as the half-empty cup. Shift your |
| former kingdom and that's where it must remain. One | | | | perspective and see yourself as the half-full cup. With |
| may be accustom to being consumed by, and | | | | this your cup will fill with more of what is right with |
| preoccupied with, taking care of the needs of the | | | | you. |
| "other" (a demanding perpetrator), rather than | | | | If you do all of these things, your depression will lift. |