Maybe They Never Hit You... But Maybe They Do This.

Some of us were taught to only watch for bruises. But there are people who will never lift a hand—and still tear your spirit down piece by piece.

Photo by KS KYUNG

Some of us were taught to only watch for bruises.

But there are people who will never lift a hand—
and still tear your spirit down piece by piece.

So maybe they never hit you…
But maybe they:

Make you feel like you’re never enough, no matter how hard you try.
Make you feel hopeless because, if you ever start to feel hopeful about anything, they make sure to put an end to that.
Promote hamster wheel surviving over truly living. Over freedom.
Leave you feeling drained in every way possible. Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally.
Make you feel small and incapable.
Twist your words and every fact until you don’t even recognize what you were trying to say.
Act like they adore you one minute—and despise you the next.

Lie, lie, lie—even to themselves. (Like when he tells you: “I could do better than you but I’m settling for you.”)

Make big promises and never follow through.
Ruin special days that have meaning to others, usually by centering themselves in the most cringeworthy ways.
Create chaos, then blame you for the fire.
Make you feel alone—even when they’re right beside you.
Break your trust so deeply that you start questioning everyone.
Cause unwellness or disease, then act like your suffering and failure to quickly heal is your own fault.
Watch your health decline from the stress—and walk away when you’re no longer at your best.

(applies to any type of relationship, not just romantic)

This too is abuse.

Abuse doesn’t always look like violence.
Sometimes it sounds like sweet words with hidden knives.
Sometimes it feels like confusion.
Like exhaustion.Like being lost in a maze they built—just to watch you crawl.