It’s Totally Normal Not to Cry Right After Facing Memories of Sexual Abuse

It’s totally normal not to cry right after facing memories of sexual abuse. Just make sure you aren’t running from your emotions and allow yourself the space to feel. The tears will come– that’s part of how you release the pain.

When I first began facing my history of childhood sexual abuse, I wasn’t shocked when I learned who’d been the first– but I still needed to grieve.

It didn’t happen right away, though.

A few days later, feeling numb and disconnected, I took some space to myself and played slow songs to help me tap into my heart.

When this one particular song hit, the floodgates opened, and I was finally able to cry for my little self.

It was as cathartic as it was painful. It was decades of hurt and fear that I never got to express to anyone who would listen, but now I finally could.

I created a lot of space over the coming weeks to just feel. I didn’t busy or hurry myself to move on and get over it.

Because for the first time in my life, I WANTED to feel everything. I wanted it all up and out– every last bit of it.

Giving myself this time to just FEEL was a vital step in my healing. And it will be in yours, too.

So, make space for your emotions.

There’s no need to force yourself to know and feel everything all at once– more details may come in waves over time. But as things come up, no matter how much it hurts, don’t shove it all back down– it’s coming up now for a reason.

Face it, take care of yourself, get the right support, and the pain WILL fade and be replaced with peace.

– Malana