MY HEAD ABOVE WATER
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind and the healing of the soul! “
For anyone who is experiencing Intimate Partner Violence, I want you to know that you are not alone. It is not an easy healing process. But I am here to share a few coping mechanisms that helped me during mine.
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1. Relearn Yourself:
a. Who am I? – First, I challenge you to learn who you are now. Often, these kinds of relationships alter our character tremendously, and we don’t even realize the drastic changes in our attitude, behavior, and relationships. At this very moment, how do you feel about who you are? What do you like to do? What makes you happy?
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he motion of these waves resembles God’s motion in
my life. The high tides are a symbol of hope and opportunity while the low tides symbolize loss or setbacks, whether emotional or physical, that have occurred in my life.
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As a woman who has experienced Intimate Partner Violence at a young age, I continuously found myself trying to go against and fight the waves that were trying to push me in a positive direction. However, I eventually realized that I was harming myself, my health, and my life trying to do so, because I was sinking deeper and deeper into the abuse and depression. When I realized how much harm I was causing myself, my friends, and my family, I gained the strength to grasp my breath, move my arms and waggle my feet to remove myself out of that sunken place and get my head back above water so that I could breathe, live, and eventually follow the wave that was continuously trying to lead me in the right direction. However, it was not easy. I had to relearn myself in order to move forward and figure out the steps I needed to take to actually heal.
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2. Coping Mechanisms:
a. What kind of hobbies do you like to do? Have you mastered a skill? Do you want to learn a new skill?
b. Take some time to yourself to reel into your interests and goals and needs. Think about what brings you peace and make a hobby out of it!
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3. Set Goals and Create a Timeline:
a. Setting goals gives you something to look forward to, no matter how long it may take you to reach them!
b. It brings you purpose, meaning, hope and opportunity!
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4. Speak to a Professional:
a. Mental Health is important! – Often, we feel alone in these situations and sometimes even afraid to speak up and seek help. However, when I tried fighting this battle alone, I was becoming more depressed because I was constantly draining the energy, the motivation, or the want to do anything or be around anyone.
b. Here at NewView Institute, we have trained professionals that are available to you and will meet you at your place of need!
And now, I challenge YOU, my sister, to think about taking some of these coping mechanisms into consideration when you are ready to begin your healing process!
- Jazmine Jones