"Being liked, loved, and appreciated has felt threatening for many survivors. Visibility is a kind of exposure. Appreciate can bring up feelings of shame. The contrast between someone's high opinion of you and your own self-hatred can be intolerable. And feeling positive about yourself- feeling worthy, deserving, and proud - may seem fantastically out of reach."
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Whew, this was an incredibly difficult and challenging read. I'm grateful that I took it slow and persevered to the end. Maybe it's something I will revisit in a few years to see how I have progressed in my own journey. As a survivor of about a decade of CSA, I felt extremely seen and validated by this book. I loved the awareness that abuse and recovery look different for everyone.

I couldn't tolerate the poems and some of the short stories from other survivors, but that didn't make this book less helpful to me. I learned a lot and strongly identified with many of the symptoms and consequences survivors live with. I did some of the writing exercises and mindfulness activities. Others filled me with a kind of irrational rage. Maybe one day, or never, I'll attempt those.

I'm glad I read this. Difficult is actually an understatement, but I'm proud I made it through and grateful this exists.