You Do Not Have to Apologize for Knowing What Danger Looks Like

You’ve seen too much.
Lived too much.
Heard the stories no one else wanted to hear.

And still, they want you to second-guess yourself.

They say:
“Don’t be paranoid.”
“Give people a chance.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“That’s not what they meant.”

But you know what danger looks like.
You’ve seen it dressed in charm, titles, and good intentions.
You’ve seen it wait patiently, then strike when the room is quiet.
You’ve seen it call itself “kind.”
You’ve seen it weaponize inclusion.
You’ve seen it win over crowds and destroy individuals in private.

You are not imagining things.
You are remembering.
You are observing.
You are discerning.

And here’s the truth:

✅ You do not owe softness to someone your spirit doesn’t trust.
✅ You do not have to apologize for naming patterns others choose to ignore.
✅ You do not have to make danger feel welcome so you don’t seem rude.
✅ You do not have to explain your boundaries in ways that make other people feel comfortable.
✅ You do not need permission to protect yourself, your daughters, or your space.

They call it “judgment.”
You call it wisdom.
They say you’re “closed off.”
You know you’re careful.
They say, “Don’t be so negative.”
But you know: Survival isn’t negative—it’s necessary.

You are not the threat.
You are the alarm.

And the ones who try to shame you for noticing the signs?
Too often, they’re hoping you’ll stay quiet long enough for danger to finish what it started.

You do not have to apologize for knowing what danger looks like.
You only have to stay true to that knowing.
That sacred, Survivor-given gift.

🕊
– Tonya GJ Prince
WeSurviveAbuse.com | SurvivorAffirmations.com | RosasChildren.com

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