Letting go of the victim mentality can be difficult to shed. For many people, the emotional abuse they've endured has stripped away their self esteem and left emotional scars that linger for years. It's not uncommon for victims to feel responsible or even feel that they deserved the abuse they received.
It’s this type of thinking that allows the negative thoughts to keep their hold on the victim. Learning to face the past so that they can move forward in a more positive direction is key. The victim needs to understand that what happened is not their fault and that no one deserves to be treated badly.
Look at the situation from a different perspective. Would you allow your best friend to be treated in such a manner or to blame themselves? Of course not. You’d try to show them that, like you, they are a person of value and should be treated as such.
Climbing Out of the Darkness
You may not be able to control the thoughts or actions of those around you, but you can control how you respond. Declare to yourself that you are a survivor and then lift yourself to that higher level. No one can keep you down unless you allow them to.
It takes a conscious effort to decide to stop wearing the label of victim, but somewhere inside is a happy, functioning, vibrant person just waiting to break free. It just takes some direction and perseverence.
Follow these tips to start rebuilding your self-esteem and get on the road to recovery:
- Talk to a counselor or support group
- Avoid negative people and situations
- Stop dwelling on the past and look toward the future. Set goals for yourself
- When you find yourself focusing on negative thoughts, remind yourself of your positives
- Make new, positive friends
- Join a group activity and become involved in it
- Indulge in humor
- Learn to accept compliments
- Read a book on building self-esteem and follow the examples
- Don’t allow yourself to be labeled
Healing emotional wounds takes time. Each person must progress at their own speed. Keep reminding yourself that other people have made it through and became better people for it. Focus on your positives and leave the negative thought patterns behind.
By letting go of the past programming and becoming a survivor, you are taking control of your own life. Learn to have faith in yourself and your strengths. As long as you continue to focus on rising above, you will achieve your goal.
Beverly Hill - Beverly is an outdoor adventure writer who owns and maintains Northwest Florida Outdoor Adventure.
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