It seems that the worst is over, the toxic relationship is over, and the person can sit in silence and breathe out. All humiliation is in the past, and freedom and new opportunities lie ahead. Now a person can feel that he belongs only to himself and can do whatever he wants without fear of punishment. But that was not the case. Leaving an abusive relationship does not mean that a happy period has begun. Of course, parting with the aggressor is a very important step for your salvation. If a person decides to do it, it is wonderful and it will definitely bring positive results in the near future. However, before you get into it, you need to go through a period of grieving the suffering suffered and liberation from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This means that nightmares may appear, difficult memories filled with feelings of resentment, hatred, injustice, regret may arise, and a feeling of emptiness may arise. and lostness. Because the person has physically left the relationship, but emotionally he still lives in the past with some part of himself, he still remains in this depressed, anxious state. And now comes the stage when it’s worth getting over the past, finally screaming, crying, really hating the tyrant, because before it was dangerous to do this. You need to get in touch with all the suppressed desires and feelings that had to be hidden from the aggressor, so as not to cause his next affect. Allow yourself to express these feelings and desires to someone who can understand and support. Healing from abuse occurs with the help of group or individual support in communication with people, and not alone. Isolation will only reinforce the feeling of loneliness that has long been lodged inside. You need to start feeling yourself, asking yourself the question: where are my desires? What do I want? Who am I? What was I like before meeting the tyrant? Gradually, you can begin to realize your simplest desires, for example, remember your preferences in food, clothing, movies. After all, in an abusive relationship, a person serves the needs of the aggressor, but completely forgets about his own. It's time to raise your self-esteem and develop self-compassion. Direct the warmth of your heart towards yourself, feeling respect, mercy, and care for yourself. And at the same time, maintain and strengthen your new boundaries with people around you, become more open, defend yourself and say “no” if circumstances require it. Be healthy! take care of yourself!