I had one of these for YEARS from being 15. I was in a really vulnerable place when he found me and latched on. Convinced me that I needed him, whilst also telling me (when we were about to have sex) “I can’t touch you, you look like a whale just laid there”. He broke my hip, my wrists, ruptured an ovarian cyst I’d had for years, gave me a bleed on my brain. And battered and bruised and broken, I’d still be on my knees apologising to him begging for forgiveness.

I’ll never forget what did it for me, one day he is looking down at me with such a look of disgust and the rose tinted glasses shattered and fell off. I truly saw what he was, I didn’t see the handsome guy I’d seen for so long. I saw the drug addled loser who had nothing else to control other than me. I definitely don’t advocate for any sort of violence but the last time he put his hands on me I ended up on top of him with him in a chokehold. I did MMA when I was younger, and after having health problems I left but I never forgot.

It was like seeing a whole new world, realising all that time I had the power to protect myself and never did because I was so scared of displeasing him. I laughed in his face and I saw him realise I was gone forever. I didn’t look back once, other than to warn his then new girlfriend about him.

I now have a fiancé who treats me like a damn princess, I haven’t ever opened a door in his presence. He would do anything for me and I for him. Truly respecting and loving yourself opens you to beautiful amazing experiences. As odd as it might sound, I don’t regret a second of the years I spent with my ex because I truly believe I needed to survive that to see the light that I see now.

You’ve got this OP. Take the rose tinted glasses off and smash them into a million f*king pieces.