A poem for a psychopath — [ProTip: before reading, begin to listen to the song “Diminished” by R.E.M. It will bring the piece below into a whole new level.] You clung to me Then pushed away Maybe it was real or maybe just imagined Hindsight says I should’ve started my engine I’ve always wondered about your…

Hint: we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for — Six months ago, I was suddenly ensnared in a nightmare I did not cause nor ask for. We’d been in the process of divorce, he and I, when he fell sick. Sickness transitioned to critical illness, and I went to the ends of the earth to save his life, to…

An unintended permanent outcome — I shake the cartoonish tweeting birds out of my head and try to think straight. “What the hell just happened??” As if I haven’t been asking myself that for almost a year and a half now. I speak Universe, and from my point of view it feels like the universe…

I’m still with him because I can’t. — [Beginning note: this is what I’ll call a “retro-story” of sorts. It’s no longer true for me, but it was up until recently. The thoughts and feelings are still fresh.] I married a dark man. That’s not surprising; I was in a dark place at the time we met, and…

Live smarter, not harder — My mother — who is exceptionally wise — always said “experience is the best teacher”. She was right. There’s nothing like Being There in real life (for better or worse), experiencing something for yourself, and learning from your successes — and especially your mistakes. The latter is known as “learning…

And we need to be able to tell them. — When I was growing up, I was quick to make snap judgments about people, out of irritability, which was borne of anxiety and nervousness. It’s not an excuse by any stretch, but it does explain things a little. As I grew up, my mom was an excellent guide. She would…

We become autistic adults — camouflaged all around you. — Say the word “autistic” in your head — or out loud. (It’s okay, you can talk to yourself — I won’t tell.) Did your mind automatically conjure up an image of a generic little boy? Mine did, too. And I’m an autistic adult. Stereotypes become strong and run deep. Autistic…

It’s all about secrets, lies, power, and control — Narcissists are weird about money and assets. Almost anyone who’s been in a relationship with a narcissist very likely has a story (or several) to tell. The effects of narcissistic financial shenanigans on their partners can be devastating, ranging from unpaid debts to bankruptcy, even to PTSD surrounding finances, security…