**Attention: Survivors, You Are Not Alone**

Survivors, this is your reminder that you are not alone. Every day, more individuals are breaking free from trauma bonds, embracing radical acceptance, and making the bold choice to go no contact or establish detached contact with their abusers. The journey is arduous, but the wave of people standing up for their healing is growing stronger by the day.

For many, the abuse inflicted by narcissists or other toxic individuals leaves deep scars that extend far beyond the initial wound. I know this firsthand. The emotional and psychological toll of being in a manipulative, abusive relationship left me disassociated from reality at times, and my nervous system shattered. For almost two years, I lived on the edge, hyper-aware and reactive to even the smallest life stressors. It felt as though my mind was no longer my own, and the world outside had become an unsafe place, even when no immediate threats were present.

This is the hidden cost of trauma: it lives in your body. The nervous system, which is designed to protect you, can become broken under the weight of constant emotional strain, making daily life feel like an uphill battle. PTSD, anxiety, and a hyper-reactive nervous system become daily companions for many survivors, long after the abusive relationship has ended.

But healing is possible. Step by step, through radical acceptance, we acknowledge the depth of the pain, the reality of the harm done, and the fact that we cannot change the abuser. Radical acceptance means letting go of the illusion of control over another person’s actions and instead focusing on our own power to heal, grow, and protect our well-being.

Breaking trauma bonds, too, is a critical part of the recovery journey. These bonds can feel like chains holding us to the past, tethering us emotionally to the person who caused the harm. Yet, every day, more survivors are learning that love and attachment in an abusive relationship are not genuine love—they are control, manipulation, and trauma responses. Detaching from these bonds, whether by going completely no contact or by limiting communication through detached contact, can feel terrifying at first, but it is one of the most empowering choices a survivor can make.

To all survivors: your journey may feel overwhelming at times, and there may be moments where the trauma seems like it’s too much to bear. But keep learning. Keep healing. You are not alone, and your progress—however slow it may seem—is worth celebrating. Every step forward is a testament to your strength, your resilience, and your will to survive and thrive.

Survivors, take this to heart: your nervous system can heal, your mind can find peace again, and your life can be reclaimed. You are astounding for having survived, and even more so for choosing to heal. Keep going. We're walking this path together.

God Bless Us All...

Jacob M