Trauma Anniversaries are Real

Don't let anyone tell you you're making it up - you're not

This week is the anniversary of my rape. I try not to think about it but inevitably it comes up. The first year I thought whew! I made it a year, then I woke up and went oh my god it was happening a year ago - now!

I put my runners on and went for a walk to clear my head.

How does one navigate this weird anniversary? After all, we don’t want to be prisoners to something that happened years ago but then again we don’t want to be in denial of any feelings that come up for us.

Denial is the enemy of healing.

Forcing yourself to be fine in the face of the repercussions of rape is not healthy. I find that while many elements of my healing process have been dealt with, there are still lingering effects, for example, a failed relationship with someone I really cared for, but he was not interested in being supportive of me. He repeatedly told me to get over things. Even as he was unable to control his temper.

It’s hard to be in a relationship with an emotionally volatile man - kind of brings up fe…