Lessons in life, love, loss, and what it means to be betrayed by the people who you love most. — by E.B. Johnson When I launched my narcissistic abuse recovery program a year ago, I thought I had a lot to teach the world about narcissists and the families that they build. Having experienced narcissistic abuse at the hands of my mother, I have an intimate knowledge of how this…

Coming to terms with a life lived unloved by the ghost of a woman who never was. — Please Note: Some names have been changed to protect the anonymity of individuals both living and deceased. by: E.B. Johnson The day I found my mother’s psychiatric medication is a day that saved my life. Sneaking into my mother’s bedroom had always been a sin, but it became a capital…

Never underestimate the power of ultimate no contact. — When Jeanette McCurdy’s book hit shelves, it hit like a nuclear bomb. People couldn’t believe that someone would name their book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, and they were even more shocked that someone would write hundreds of pages detailing their experiences with a toxic and abusive mother. For people…

Is it love? Or is the fear of rejection repeating? — Each day we learn more and more about childhood trauma and the wounds survivors of this trauma are left with. At least 1 in 7 children experience some kind of major emotional turmoil or neglect. That means if you put 10 people in a room, at least one of them…

Moving mindsets can make all the difference. — We all have that person who loves playing the victim in our lives. They always have to be rescued from trouble, and they’re always in the middle of some huge crisis. Everyone and everything else is to blame. This type of person isn’t capable of taking on their own mistakes…

Don’t let the shadows of your parents’ guilt hold you back. — There are a lot of tactics used by toxic and abusive parents. We are well-versed in the usual suspects. We know when our parents are yelling at us, when they are gaslighting us, or manipulating us. Projection is a tactic that often goes unobserved, however. Parents subtly undermine their children…

Want better friends? Focus on these core facets of healthy friendship. — How are your friendships faring these days? Do you feel you’re surrounded by the right people? Or are you someone who wishes they had a few more genuine connections to enjoy? Our friends can be an important part of our happiness. More than just social connections, they provide us with…

Trauma isn’t a drop. It’s an ocean of high and low tides. — Feeling more stressed as the holidays approach? Is there no real reason for this stress? Things might be going quite well. There may not be a lot of pressing plans or obligations on the agenda. All the same, you may feel yourself tensing up, looking over your shoulder. Why? Well…

Enjoy this grim peek behind the curtain. I’m sitting here typing this in my phone with a heating pad wrapped around my neck and shoulders. It’s all a part of this new thing I’m trying…being human. You may have heard of it. The truth is that today I’m hurting. My shoulders and jaw are locked up so…