I still have triggers, thanks to you.
I catch them, sometimes. When I overreact to something. When I desperately and guiltily create elaborate justifications for even my basic needs being met.
Now that I am out of that toxic relationship, I am healing. I am disarming my triggers.
I am learning that what you did to me is abuse, no matter how many big words you use to justify it. I am learning that abuse is not normal, no matter how hard you insisted that it was.
But I am healthier now. I am throwing away the fear and toxicity you inflicted on me for so long.
Because I now know that the kind of abuse you put me through is not "normal".
It was intentional.
P.S. This essay is about a workplace.
P.P.S. Think I’m talking about you? Remember my artistic license policy.
Featured Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash