I remember the way I felt when I was told that I wasn’t “allowed” to do something. I remember feeling like a child who couldn’t understand why they were in trouble. I dealt with this feeling, among others, for a long time until I had the courage to leave. Once I left my abusive relationship, I still struggled with this feeling and other self-destructive behaviors for months, all while fumbling through college. I knew I had to give myself something to look forward to. I reach
