Last updated on August 22nd, 2024 at 12:08 am

• What is Narcissistic Parenting?
• The Deep Pain of Growing Up with a Narcissist
• How Narcissistic Parents Mess with Their Kids’ Minds
• Gaslighting: Making You Doubt Reality
• Emotional Blackmail: Using Fear, Obligation, and Guilt
• Love-Bombing and Intermittent Reinforcement
• The Silent Treatment: Withdrawal of Love
• Triangulation: Turning Family Members Against Each Other
• The Long-Term Effects on Mental Health
• Depression: The Weight of Never Being “Good Enough”
• Anxiety: Always Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
• Complex PTSD: Living with Ongoing Trauma
• Codependency: Losing Yourself in Relationships
• Eating Disorders and Self-Harm: Trying to Gain Control
• Substance Abuse: Numbing the Pain
• Identity Issues: Not Knowing Who You Are
• Physical Health Problems: The Body Keeps Score
• Breaking Free: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse
• 1. Recognize the Abuse
• 2. Allow Yourself to Feel
• 3. Set Boundaries
• 4. Build a Support Network
• 5. Practice Self-Care
• 6. Challenge Negative Self-Talk
• 7. Explore Your Identity
• 8. Work on Relationships
• 9. Consider Therapy
• 10. Educate Yourself
• 11. Practice Mindfulness
• 12. Reclaim Your Power
• 13. Break the Cycle
• 14. Grieve the Relationship You Never Had
• 15. Develop Self-Trust
• 16. Address Trauma Bonding
• 17. Recognize Your Strength
• 18. Handle Guilt Trips
• 19. Manage Emotional Flashbacks
• 20. Build Emotional Intelligence
• 21. Create New Traditions
• 22. Practice Forgiveness (If You Choose)
• 23. Celebrate Your Progress
• Conclusion: Your Healing Journey

Growing up with a narcissistic parent can be really hard. It leaves deep marks that last long after childhood. This post looks at how having a narcissistic mom or dad affects young adults’ mental health. We’ll explore the signs of narcissistic parenting, how it hurts kids as they grow up, and ways to heal.

What is Narcissistic Parenting?

Narcissistic parents put themselves first. They lack empathy and use their kids to feel better about themselves. Some key traits of narcissistic parents are:

• They think they’re always right
• They need constant praise
• They get jealous of their kids’ success
• They try to control everything their kids do
• They can’t show real love or understanding

These behaviors really mess with a child’s growth. Kids of narcissists often feel:

• Confused about their own feelings and needs
• Unsure if their experiences are real (this is called gaslighting)
• Like they have to earn love by being “perfect”
• Guilty or ashamed for having normal needs
• Scared to speak up or show feelings

As these kids grow into young adults, the effects of narcissistic parenting become even clearer. Many struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and trouble in relationships.

The Deep Pain of Growing Up with a Narcissist

Living with a narcissistic parent is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute they might shower you with praise, the next they’re tearing you down. This back-and-forth is super confusing for a child.

Imagine never knowing if your parent will respond with love or anger. You might get yelled at for spilling milk one day, then ignored when you ace a test the next. This lack of consistent care and support leaves deep scars.

Kids of narcissists learn early on that their feelings don’t matter. They’re taught to focus only on the parent’s needs and moods. This teaches them to ignore their own emotions and needs. Over time, they may lose touch with who they really are.

“So often victims end up unnecessarily prolonging their abuse because they buy into the notion that their abuser must be coming from a wounded place and that only patient love and tolerance (and lots of misguided therapy) will help them heal.”
― George K. Simon

The narcissistic parent uses shame and guilt to control their child. They might say things like “After all I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?” or “You’re so selfish, you never think of anyone but yourself.” These put-downs chip away at the child’s self-worth.

As they get older, children of narcissists often struggle to trust others. They’ve learned that love is conditional and that people will hurt them. This makes it hard to form healthy relationships as young adults.

Many also develop a fierce inner critic. They internalize their parent’s harsh voice and constantly put themselves down. This negative self-talk can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

The impact of narcissistic abuse runs deep. It shapes how a person sees themselves, others, and the world around them. Healing from this type of childhood trauma takes time and work. But it is possible to overcome the effects and build a healthier, happier life.

How Narcissistic Parents Mess with Their Kids’ Minds

Narcissistic parents use some pretty nasty tricks to control their kids. Let’s look at a few:

Gaslighting: Making You Doubt Reality

Gaslighting is when someone makes you question your own memories or perceptions. A narcissistic parent might say “That never happened” when you bring up a painful memory. Or they might twist events to make themselves look good. Over time, this makes you doubt your own mind.

For example, let’s say your dad yelled at you in front of your friends. Later, when you try to talk about it, he says “I never yelled. You’re too sensitive. Your friends didn’t even notice anything.” This leaves you feeling confused and unsure of what really happened.

Gaslighting is super harmful because it makes you lose trust in yourself. You start to think maybe you are “too sensitive” or “imagining things.” This shakes your sense of reality and makes it hard to stand up for yourself.

Emotional Blackmail: Using Fear, Obligation, and Guilt

Narcissistic parents are masters of emotional blackmail. They use fear, obligation, and guilt (FOG) to manipulate their kids. Some examples:

• Fear: “If you don’t do what I say, I’ll kick you out of the house.”
• Obligation: “After all I’ve sacrificed for you, this is how you repay me?”
• Guilt: “You’re breaking my heart by disobeying me.”

This kind of manipulation makes kids feel responsible for their parent’s feelings. They learn to put the parent’s needs first, even at the cost of their own well-being.

“When we meet and fall into the gravitational pull of a narcissist, we are entering a significant life lesson that involves learning how to create boundaries, self-respect, and resilience. Through trial and error (and a lot of pain), our connection with narcissists teaches us the necessary lessons we need to become mature empaths.”
― Mateo Sol

Love-Bombing and Intermittent Reinforcement

Narcissistic parents aren’t mean all the time. Sometimes they can be super loving and attentive. This is called love-bombing. But it’s not real love – it’s a way to keep control.

The parent might shower the child with affection and gifts one day, then go cold the next. This creates a powerful emotional bond. The child never knows when they’ll get love or anger. So they keep trying to please the parent, hoping for more “good” days.

This on-again, off-again pattern is called intermittent reinforcement. It’s the same tactic used by casinos to keep people gambling. In relationships, it creates a trauma bond that’s hard to break.

The Silent Treatment: Withdrawal of Love

When a narcissistic parent doesn’t get their way, they might use the silent treatment. They ignore the child, withholding love and attention. This is incredibly painful for a child who craves their parent’s approval.

The silent treatment sends the message that the child is unworthy of love unless they obey. It’s a form of emotional abuse that can cause long-lasting harm.

“Playing the victim role: Manipulator portrays him- or herself as a victim of circumstance or of someone else’s behavior in order to gain pity, sympathy or evoke compassion and thereby get something from another. Caring and conscientious people cannot stand to see anyone suffering and the manipulator often finds it easy to play on sympathy to get cooperation.”
― George K. Simon

Triangulation: Turning Family Members Against Each Other

Narcissistic parents often use triangulation to create drama and maintain control. They might:

• Pit siblings against each other through favoritism
• Bad-mouth one parent to the child
• Use the child as a messenger between adults

This divides the family and keeps the narcissist at the center of attention. It also makes it hard for family members to form genuine bonds with each other.

These manipulation tactics leave deep scars. They teach children that love is conditional, that they can’t trust their own perceptions, and that their needs don’t matter. Recognizing these patterns is a crucial first step in healing from narcissistic abuse.

The Long-Term Effects on Mental Health

Growing up with a narcissistic parent can lead to serious mental health issues in young adulthood. Let’s explore some of the most common effects:

Depression: The Weight of Never Being “Good Enough”

Many children of narcissists struggle with depression as they get older. They’ve internalized the message that they’re not good enough. No matter what they achieve, they feel empty inside.

This constant self-doubt can lead to:

• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
• Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep and appetite
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Depression from narcissistic abuse often comes with a deep sense of shame. The person might think, “If only I had been a better child, my parent would have loved me.” This shame makes it hard to reach out for help.

Anxiety: Always Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

Anxiety is super common among adults who grew up with narcissistic parents. They learned early on that the world isn’t safe. They’re always on edge, waiting for something bad to happen.

This anxiety can show up as:

• Constant worry and overthinking
• Panic attacks
• Physical symptoms like racing heart, sweating, or shaking
• Avoiding social situations
• Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes

The anxiety often comes from never knowing what to expect as a child. One minute things were calm, the next there was screaming and chaos. This unpredictability makes it hard to relax and trust that things will be okay.

“It is no accident that narcissists and altruists often have a magnetic attraction to one another. Can you see how perfect the fit is? The altruistic feels the need to selflessly serve others and this is just what the narcissist wants. Narcissists want to be worshipped and gratified in every way possible, and this is just what altruists offer, thinking it demonstrates their moral virtue.”
― Ellen Kenner

Complex PTSD: Living with Ongoing Trauma

Many survivors of narcissistic abuse develop Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). This is similar to PTSD, but it comes from long-term trauma rather than a single event.

Signs of C-PTSD include:

• Flashbacks or nightmares about childhood experiences
• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Negative self-image and feelings of shame
• Problems with relationships and trust
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches

C-PTSD can make everyday life really hard. Survivors might struggle at work or school. They might have trouble forming close relationships. Some turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the pain.

Codependency: Losing Yourself in Relationships

Many children of narcissists become codependent as adults. They learned to put others’ needs before their own. In relationships, they might:

• Have trouble setting boundaries
• Feel responsible for their partner’s happiness
• Ignore their own needs and wants
• Stay in unhealthy or abusive relationships
• Have low self-esteem and seek constant approval

Codependency often leads to a pattern of toxic relationships. The person might be drawn to other narcissists or abusive partners. They recreate the familiar dynamic from childhood, hoping for a different outcome.

Eating Disorders and Self-Harm: Trying to Gain Control

Some survivors of narcissistic abuse develop eating disorders or self-harm behaviors. These often start as ways to cope with overwhelming emotions or gain a sense of control.

Eating disorders might include:

• Anorexia (restricting food)
• Bulimia (binging and purging)
• Binge eating disorder
• Orthorexia (obsession with “healthy” eating)

Self-harm can take many forms, like cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. It’s often a way to release emotional pain or punish oneself for perceived failures.

“Survivors have trouble communicating and may experience social anxiety and agoraphobia, the fear of open space and crowded places. The feeling of isolation stemming from the days of a relationship persists and people who dealt with a narcissist feel too vulnerable to expose themselves to the outer world, which is often followed by a state of paranoia and beliefs that people are evil and want to cause us harm. It is like a constant state of fight or flight.”
― Theresa J. Covert, The Covert Narcissist: Recognizing the Most Dangerous Subtle Form of Narcissism and Recovering from Emotionally Abusive Relationships

Substance Abuse: Numbing the Pain

Many young adults with narcissistic parents turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Substance abuse might start as a way to:

• Numb painful emotions
• Boost confidence in social situations
• Escape from intrusive thoughts or memories
• Feel a sense of control or rebellion

While drugs or alcohol might provide temporary relief, they ultimately make things worse. Addiction can lead to health problems, legal issues, and damaged relationships. It also prevents the person from truly healing from their childhood trauma.

Identity Issues: Not Knowing Who You Are

One of the most profound effects of narcissistic parenting is a shaky sense of self. The child wasn’t allowed to develop their own identity separate from the parent. As young adults, they might:

• Have trouble knowing what they want or like
• Change their personality to please others
• Feel empty or fake inside
• Struggle to make decisions or set goals
• Have a hard time standing up for themselves

Physical Health Problems: The Body Keeps Score

The stress of growing up with a narcissistic parent doesn’t just affect mental health. It can lead to physical health issues too. These might include:

• Chronic pain
• Autoimmune disorders
• Digestive problems
• Migraines
• Heart disease
• Weakened immune system

This shows how deeply childhood trauma affects the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.

Breaking Free: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

Healing from narcissistic abuse is a journey. It takes time, patience, and often professional help. But it is possible to overcome the effects and build a happier, healthier life. Here are some steps that can help:

1. Recognize the Abuse

The first step in healing is recognizing that what you experienced was abuse. This can be really hard, especially if your parent was sometimes loving or if you were told you had a “good childhood.” Some signs that you might have experienced narcissistic abuse include:

• Feeling like you were never good enough
• Being afraid to speak up or show emotions
• Doubting your own memories or perceptions
• Feeling responsible for your parent’s happiness
• Having low self-esteem or trouble knowing who you are

It’s okay if you’re not sure. Abuse isn’t always obvious, especially emotional abuse. Reading about narcissistic abuse and talking to a therapist can help you understand your experiences.

“Coverts do have a grandiose sense of self, are preoccupied with fantasies of power, require excessive admiration, but they hide these attributes so people will like and trust them. They know if they are obvious about their self-absorbed traits, people won’t like them. They believe they are “special” and entitled, but they know it would turn people off to let that be known. They know they must appear humble to be liked and revered. They know how to play people, how to charm them. They are master manipulators. They don’t have empathy but have learned how to act empathetically. They will look you in the eyes, making you feel special and heard, make sounds and give looks that tell you they care, but they really don’t. They mirror your emotions, so it seems like they have empathy. They have observed and learned how to appear to care. They thrive upon the attention of others. People who think or act as if they are amazing are their energy supply. They have people around them who adore them, respect them, revere them, see them as special and almost perfect, and in some cases seem to worship them.”
― Debbie Mirza, The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse

2. Allow Yourself to Feel

Growing up with a narcissistic parent, you probably learned to push down your feelings. Now it’s time to let them out. This can be scary, but feeling your emotions is an important part of healing.

You might feel:

• Anger at your parent for not giving you what you needed
• Sadness for the childhood you didn’t get to have
• Grief for the relationship you wished you had
• Fear about how the abuse has affected you
• Relief at finally understanding what happened

All of these feelings are normal and okay. Let yourself cry, scream into a pillow, or write in a journal. Just don’t judge yourself for how you feel.

3. Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is super important for healing from narcissistic abuse. This means deciding what you will and won’t accept in relationships. With your narcissistic parent, you might need to:

• Limit contact or go “no contact” for a while
• Refuse to discuss certain topics
• Leave if they start being abusive
• Stop trying to please them or win their approval

4. Build a Support Network

Healing from narcissistic abuse is tough to do alone. Surround yourself with people who support and believe you. This might include:

• Friends who understand what you’ve been through
• A therapist who specializes in trauma or narcissistic abuse
• Support groups for adult children of narcissists
• Online communities of survivors

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. …In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons…who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
― Edward Bernays, Propaganda

5. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is crucial when healing from narcissistic abuse. You might not be used to putting yourself first, but it’s so important. Some ways to take care of yourself include:

• Getting enough sleep and eating well
• Exercising or doing yoga
• Meditating or practicing mindfulness
• Doing things you enjoy, like reading or painting
• Saying nice things to yourself in the mirror

6. Challenge Negative Self-Talk

Narcissistic parents plant a lot of negative messages in their kids’ heads. As an adult, you might have a harsh inner critic always putting you down. Learning to challenge these thoughts is a big part of healing.

When you notice negative self-talk, try to:

• Question where the thought came from
• Ask if you’d say that to a friend
• Look for evidence that the thought isn’t true
• Replace it with a kinder, more realistic thought

7. Explore Your Identity

If you grew up with a narcissistic parent, you might not have a strong sense of who you are. Now’s the time to explore and discover yourself. Try:

• Making a list of things you like and dislike
• Trying new hobbies or activities
• Setting goals that are important to you (not anyone else)
• Practicing saying “no” to things that don’t feel right
• Celebrating your strengths and unique qualities

“Abuse manipulates and twists a child’s natural sense of trust and love. Her innocent feelings are belittled or mocked and she learns to ignore her feelings. She can’t afford to feel the full range of feelings in her body while she’s being abused — pain, outrage, hate, vengeance, confusion, arousal. So she short-circuits them and goes numb. For many children, any expression of feelings, even a single tear, is cause for more severe abuse. Again, the only recourse is to shut down. Feelings go underground.”
― Laura Davis, Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused as a Child

8. Work on Relationships

Narcissistic abuse can make it hard to trust others or have healthy relationships. But with time and effort, you can learn to connect in positive ways. Some steps that can help:

• Practice being honest about your feelings
• Set boundaries in all your relationships
• Look for signs of healthy vs unhealthy relationships
• Work on your communication skills
• Allow yourself to be vulnerable with safe people

“The sadistic narcissist perceives himself as Godlike, ruthless and devoid of scruples, capricious and unfathomable, emotion-less and non-sexual, omniscient, omnipotent and omni-present, a plague, a devastation, an inescapable verdict.”
― Sam Vaknin

9. Consider Therapy

Therapy can be super helpful in healing from narcissistic abuse. A good therapist can:

• Teach you coping skills for anxiety and depression
• Help you build self-esteem and self-compassion
• Guide you in setting healthy boundaries
• Support you in developing a stronger sense of self

Look for a therapist who understands narcissistic abuse and trauma. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be especially helpful for processing trauma.

10. Educate Yourself

Learning about narcissistic abuse can be really empowering. It helps you understand that you’re not alone and that what happened wasn’t your fault. Some topics to research:

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Effects of childhood trauma
• Healing from emotional abuse
• Codependency
• Healthy relationship skills

Reading books, watching videos, or attending workshops on these topics can give you tools for healing.

11. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in healing from narcissistic abuse. It helps you stay present instead of getting stuck in painful memories or worries about the future. Some ways to practice mindfulness:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Body scans (noticing sensations in your body)
• Mindful eating (paying attention to the taste and texture of food)
• Mindful walking (focusing on each step and your surroundings)

12. Reclaim Your Power

Narcissistic parents often make their kids feel powerless. Part of healing is reclaiming your personal power. This might involve:

• Making decisions for yourself, even small ones
• Speaking up when something doesn’t feel right
• Pursuing your own goals and dreams
• Celebrating your accomplishments, big and small
• Trusting your own instincts and feelings

13. Break the Cycle

If you’re a parent or planning to be one, you might worry about repeating the cycle of abuse. But awareness is the first step in breaking this cycle. Some ways to be a healthier parent:

• Work on your own healing first
• Learn about healthy parenting techniques
• Practice empathy and active listening with your kids
• Allow your children to have their own identities and feelings
• Seek support if you’re struggling (therapy, parenting classes, etc.)

14. Grieve the Relationship You Never Had

Part of healing from narcissistic abuse is grieving the parent-child relationship you deserved but never had. This grief can hit hard, but it’s an important part of moving forward. Allow yourself to:

• Feel sad about what you missed out on
• Write a letter to your younger self
• Create a ritual to honor your lost childhood
• Talk to others who understand this unique type of loss

Grieving doesn’t mean you’re weak or stuck in the past. It’s a necessary step in healing and moving forward.

15. Develop Self-Trust

Narcissistic abuse can shake your trust in yourself. Rebuilding this self-trust is crucial for healing. Try:

• Keeping promises to yourself (even small ones)
• Listening to your gut feelings
• Reflecting on times you’ve made good decisions
• Forgiving yourself for past mistakes
• Celebrating when you trust yourself and things work out

16. Address Trauma Bonding

Many children of narcissists develop a trauma bond with their abusive parent. This is a strong emotional attachment formed through cycles of abuse and intermittent kindness. Breaking this bond can be really tough, but it’s important for healing. Steps to break a trauma bond:

• Recognize the unhealthy nature of the bond
• Cut off or limit contact with the abusive parent
• Seek support from a therapist or support group
• Focus on building healthy relationships
• Practice self-care and self-compassion

17. Recognize Your Strength

Surviving narcissistic abuse takes incredible strength. As you heal, it’s important to recognize how strong you are. You’ve:

• Survived a really tough childhood
• Recognized the abuse for what it was
• Taken steps to heal and grow
• Refused to let your past define your future

18. Handle Guilt Trips

Narcissistic parents are experts at using guilt to control their kids. Learning to recognize and resist guilt trips is a big part of healing. When you feel guilty:

• Ask yourself if you’ve actually done something wrong
• Remember that you’re not responsible for your parent’s feelings
• Challenge thoughts like “I’m a bad child”
• Remind yourself of your right to have boundaries
• Talk to supportive people who can offer perspective

19. Manage Emotional Flashbacks

Many survivors of narcissistic abuse experience emotional flashbacks. These are sudden, intense feelings of fear, shame, or helplessness that come from past trauma. To cope with flashbacks:

• Remind yourself that you’re safe now and the flashback will pass
• Use grounding techniques (like naming objects you see or counting backwards)
• Practice self-soothing (deep breathing, hugging yourself, etc.)
• Reach out to a supportive person if you need to
• Be gentle with yourself afterwards

20. Build Emotional Intelligence

Growing up with a narcissistic parent can mess with your ability to understand and manage emotions. Building emotional intelligence is a key part of healing. Try:

• Naming your feelings as you experience them
• Journaling about your emotions
• Practicing empathy for others (and yourself)
• Learning healthy ways to express feelings
• Recognizing how emotions show up in your body

21. Create New Traditions

Holidays and special occasions can be really tough when you’ve grown up with a narcissistic parent. Creating new traditions can help you reclaim these times:

• Celebrate holidays with chosen family or friends
• Start new rituals that feel meaningful to you
• Give yourself permission to skip triggering events
• Plan self-care activities during difficult times of year
• Focus on creating positive memories, not perfect ones

22. Practice Forgiveness (If You Choose)

Forgiveness is a personal choice and looks different for everyone. Some people find that forgiving their narcissistic parent helps them heal. Others don’t feel it’s necessary or possible. If you do want to work on forgiveness:

• Remember that forgiveness is for you, not the other person
• Know that forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the abuse
• Consider writing a forgiveness letter (that you don’t have to send)
• Work with a therapist to process your feelings about forgiveness
• Be patient with yourself – forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event

23. Celebrate Your Progress

Healing from narcissistic abuse is a long journey. It’s important to celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small it might seem. Some milestones to celebrate:

• Setting a boundary and sticking to it
• Recognizing a manipulation tactic in the moment
• Having a good day despite challenges
• Trying something new that scares you
• Showing yourself kindness instead of criticism

Conclusion: Your Healing Journey

Healing from narcissistic parenting is a challenging but incredibly worthwhile journey. It’s about reclaiming your life, finding your true self, and creating the happy, healthy future you deserve.

Remember, healing isn’t linear. There will be ups and downs, steps forward and steps back. That’s normal and okay. What matters is that you keep going, one day at a time.

You didn’t deserve the abuse you experienced. It wasn’t your fault, and it doesn’t define who you are. You are strong, worthy of love, and capable of healing.

As you move forward, be patient and compassionate with yourself. Celebrate every bit of progress. Lean on your support system when you need to. And always remember – you are not alone in this journey.

Your past doesn’t have to determine your future. With time, support, and a lot of self-love, you can overcome the effects of narcissistic abuse and create a life filled with genuine connections, self-worth, and joy.

You’ve already taken the first step by learning about narcissistic abuse and its effects. Keep going. Your future self will thank you for the hard work you’re doing now.

Healing is possible. You are worth it. And your best days are still ahead.