I thought I was a strong women, until I had to face a gaslighting narcissist.
I am tough – I was on my own when I was 15; emancipated at 16; joined the US Army at 21; and was a single mom at 24; as a single mom I completed an MBA by taking night classes for 2.5 years.
I was a bad ass.
My heart and spirit was crushed by my ex husband – I was vulnerable and trusted him. He gaslit me, he lied to me over & over again. He blamed & shamed me for how he felt. It was emotionally abusive for YEARS.
He and I made love less than once per year, for a majority of our nearly 9 year marriage. He told me it was normal, I had the problem for not seeing it as normal. Why would a person play mind games like this on someone they supposedly loved? Why would they violate their trust, why would they hurt them in an unforgivable way?
I feel weak, but I am regaining strength. He was my everything. Looking back, I compromised my personal values, and time with my family, in the name of loving him. I allowed him to poison me with thoughts that tarnished the relationship with my teen (from another relationship). It was damaging to her, but he has no remorse, no regrets. It’s sickening.
He is a vile creature, and I am stronger from this experience.