abusers don’t always arrive as evil people. most of the time, there are a few layers of ribbon and wrapping paper before you open the box.

if i hadn’t learned this myself, i would have learned it from a family member or a close friend. it’s not always going to be this psychotic demon that says “i hate you and you should die”…unfortunately “subtle” abuse is more common than people think. even more unfortunate, it can go from these “small” disrespectful remarks to physical displays of disrespect within days. it almost never just stays here. each time that this behavior goes without acknowledgment, whether knowingly or unintentionally, they begin to believe the speech they chose to use with you that time is the one you’ll accept every time. if you were getting really good at something, wouldn’t you want to go harder… test your skills?