- I am worthless, or close to it
- I twist my self-worth to depend on the people I care about, so the smallest, most unintentional slight is taken with too much sensitivity
- I don't deserve to be cared for
- I am dirty, and bad
- I am at fault
...on my relationships:
- I trust people I shouldn't too quickly, and people I should, not enough
- I am emotionally needy, seeking constant reassurance that someone cares
- At the same time, I push people away, testing their caring
- Relationships with my parents are superficial
- Relationships with my sisters...were strained; now, they are better, but I am still unsure about how they really feel toward me
...on my views about sex:
- Sex is easily used for power
- Sex is easily made to be about control
- Sex is painful and causes guilt
- Sex is a way to make people want and/or need you, to make them want to be close to you
...on my life in positive ways- what strengths have I gained?
- For all my emotional neediness, I am pretty self-sufficient- I know how to run a household and take care of a family
- I am compassionate and empathetic
- I am not broken, even with all I have been through- this shows me that I am strong
- I know how not to parent
Writing Exercise from: Bass, E. and Davis, L. (2008). The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of CSA. (4th Ed.). New York: Harper.
yea, well done for tackling this exercise, and for being honest and open. What you write is really inspiring, though I know how difficult it is to allow ourselves to be this honest sometimes
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