Two Lives: The Public Success and Private Pain
It was my third year working in Southern France, and by all appearances, I was thriving. I worked at the NATO Helicopter Management Agency, enjoying a career I had worked hard to build. I loved my job, my team, and the amazing opportunities it brought into my life. Outside of work, I danced Hip-Hop, traveled, and embraced the beauty of Aix-en-Provence.
I was the picture of ambition and success.
But behind closed doors, I lived a different reality.
Every time I turned the key to my apartment door, I entered a world of chaos—a toxic, narcissistic relationship that consumed me. At work, I was praised for my achievements and professionalism. At home, I was belittled, manipulated, and abused.
Every day, I lived in fear of what mood awaited me. I couldn’t think about leaving. I couldn’t even think about my self-worth. All my energy went into surviving, one moment at a time.
It would take me two and a half years to escape.
Two and a half years to rediscover the confident, capable woman I had been before someone came into my life and turned it upside down.
This is my story.
It’s not just a story of pain, but of healing. Of reclaiming my worth. Of learning that I am enough, just as I am.
And that’s what this week’s EQ Oasis Theme is all about:
How to prevent, recover, and heal from toxic relationships by transforming emotional pain into personal power.
If you’re ready to reclaim your self-worth and walk away from what no longer serves you, let’s dive in.
Breaking Free: The Journey Out of a Toxic Relationship
The Invisible Shackles of Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic relationships are more than toxic—they’re emotionally suffocating. The constant manipulation, gaslighting, and emotional abuse leave you questioning your reality and blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong.
It’s easy to say, “Why didn’t you just leave?” But for those of us who’ve lived it, the answer isn’t so simple.
Narcissists are masters of control. They isolate you from your friends and family, erode your confidence, and make you dependent on their approval. You begin to believe their lies: “You’ll never find anyone better.” “You can’t survive without me.”
But here’s the truth: You can survive.
More than that, you can thrive.
From Surviving to Thriving: My Healing Journey
When I finally left, I thought the hardest part was over. But the real work was just beginning.
Healing from narcissistic abuse isn’t just about leaving the person—it’s about rebuilding yourself. It’s about unlearning the lies they made you believe and reconnecting with your inner truth.
Here’s what helped me move from surviving to thriving:
