December 14, 2011

Loneliness - Part 1

When I was twelve years old, I went to one of the many slumber parties that would sprinkle my childhood days. I was super excited to be going to this particular slumber party, though, because my best friend was the hostess. She lived next door (so there was the added comfort that I could just go home if things went wrong), and we had spent lots of time together playing in the wide open fields behind our houses. I was at ease about going to the party knowing that there was at least one person there who I could have fun with.

This definitely wasn’t always the case. After the abuse, I remember days when it felt like all of the color had been drained out the world. I would watch my peers play with their dolls and even beginning to gossip about which boy they thought was the cutest in the class. In those moments, I felt like a complete outsider. I wanted to scream at them, “How can you be so silly! Don’t you know really bad things happen in this world!?” I felt alone and like I just didn’t belong with these girls. This feeling has stayed with me through the years, even as the topics have gone from cute boys to, well, cute men.

Abuse changes how we see the world. It strips away our innocence and we grow up well before we should. It’s as though I was walking along a similar path with these other girls and then we reached a fork in the road. I continued on my journey that included the experience of abuse and they continued on theirs – minus abuse. My path was a bit thornier, bleaker but there were sometimes clearings where I could see the other path and the sun and laughter that was there. I’d try to soak up as much of it as I could – if even from a distance – but could never seem to break away from the path I was on.

This experience – of being forced to see the world too soon and, as a result, feeling like we just don’t belong – is one that stays with us for a long time. It is one of our stories – “I don’t belong.” As adults, we often find it hard to relate to others who haven’t shared our same path. We long for the look of recognition and ability to think deeply about things that matter and are turned off by relationships and conversations that remain shallow.

The trouble is that we are constantly out to prove that we don’t belong. So, regardless of the situation, we stand on the outside and judge, evaluate the situation rather than engage and bring an attitude of openness. We need to understand that the story of “I don’t belong” is greatly impacting how connected we are to others. We also need to accept and appreciate that not everyone is our cup of tea! You may find it harder to connect with others, but you only exacerbate the problem when you continue to have the attitude that you are somehow an outsider, flawed, damaged, or never fit in.

REFLECTION
  • How has loneliness been a part of your life?
  • What thoughts or self-talk do you have that make you feel lonely (e.g. nobody likes me, no one understands me)?
  • How do you isolate yourself from others?
  • What do you do when you are feeling lonely?
  • Have you ever felt like you belong? List some people, groups, or communities to which you belong?



---

Discover the 3 Stages of Recovery from Childhood Abuse

The road to recovery is much easier when you know what stage you're in and what to do next. Find out exactly where you are in your healing journey and what kind of support you need right now. 
This FREE 9-page guide will give you the answers you've been seeking.


7 comments:

  1. Interesting and insightful. Loneliness plagues a lot of people. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for your bravery in letting your sufferings be a source of help for others

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice Stuff Rachel

    SB

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can relate to all of it, Rachel. I so understand that story of having fallen out of the human race. It's just a story, not a fact, and it takes time, nourishing relationships, and creativity, I believe. to change it to a healthier and truer story. Thanks for your personal sharing of an experience many people suffer with alone.

    Juliet

    ReplyDelete
  5. to all: thank you so much for taking the time to comment - I really appreciate it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Rachel,

    Great posting. Your phrase, "drained all the color out of the world" really hit home. It explains so perfectly what a csa survivor goes through and how their world and their view of it changes so drastically.

    Keep up the good work!
    Margie

    ReplyDelete

Sign up for my free guide so you can stop spinning your wheels and instead navigate your way through each stage of recovery with ease and clarity. Get the support you need today