A Day in the Life of Me

Hey beautiful soul, welcome back.

If you’ve ever been told to “get over it” or that “it’s just words,” I want you to know something: they were wrong.

Words matter.
Words shape us.
Words can build us up—or break us down.

And today, we’re going to talk about how verbal abuse can leave real, lasting impacts—not just emotionally, but mentally and even physically. Because healing begins with understanding what really happened to you.

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Let’s Start With the Lie: “Sticks and Stones…”

You know the saying, right?

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Yeah… not true.

Wounds from words don’t always leave visible marks—but that doesn’t mean they don’t leave deep scars. In fact, research shows that verbal abuse can change the brain in ways similar to physical abuse. Let that sink in.

So if anyone ever made you feel like your pain “wasn’t that serious” because there weren’t bruises? They were flat-out wrong.

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How Verbal Abuse Can Affect You (Mind, Body, and Soul)

Let’s break it down:

🧠 Mentally

• You might struggle with constant self-doubt.
• You could replay conversations over and over in your head.
• You may find it hard to trust your own memory or judgment (hello, gaslighting aftermath).
• Anxiety or depression can creep in, making you feel “off” without fully knowing why.

🩶 Emotionally

• Your self-worth may have taken a hit—big time.
• You might walk on eggshells in every relationship, scared of upsetting someone.
• You may have internalized their voice, and now it sounds like your own inner critic.

🧍‍♀️ Physically

Yes, physical symptoms can show up too. Chronic stress from emotional abuse can lead to:

• Headaches or migraines
• Digestive issues
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Panic attacks or chronic tension

This is your body reacting to prolonged emotional danger. It’s not in your head. It’s in your body.

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So, No. It Wasn’t “Just Words.”

It was:

• Undermining.
• Gaslighting.
• Intimidation.
• Emotional control.

Words were used to keep you small. To make you question yourself. To silence you.

That’s not love. That’s abuse.

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Healing Is Possible—But Let’s Be Real

Recovering from verbal abuse takes time. It’s not about snapping out of it. It’s about slowly, steadily untangling your identity from their words.

It’s about learning to talk to yourself differently. Gently. Kindly. Like you would to a hurting friend.

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Healing Prompt for Today: “Whose Voice Is That?”

Take a moment to reflect:

• “What is something I regularly tell myself that sounds harsh or critical?”
• “Where did that voice come from?”
• “If I could replace it with a kinder voice, what would it say instead?”

This might feel strange at first—but it’s how we rewire those mental pathways. One thought at a time.

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Let’s Try This Together:

Say it with me (out loud, if you can):

“I am not what they said about me.”
“Their words do not define me.”
“I deserve to speak to myself with kindness.”

You don’t have to believe it fully just yet. Just start saying it. Your heart will catch up.

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A Little Reminder Before You Go

If your body still flinches when someone raises their voice…
If you still hesitate before sharing your thoughts…
If you’re still healing from the silence or the sharp words…

You are not broken. You are healing.
And healing is not linear—it’s layered, messy, and beautifully brave.

You’re doing the work. You’re showing up.
And that, my friend, is powerful.