Sexua; Abuse Survivors: Survivors Surviving

This page is for survivors to share things that help them to survive.

I find doing something very physical helps like digging in the garden or walking fast.	I have a drum and go in a room and close the door and bang it to music I like. It helps with angry feelings and is also very grounding when I keep feeling despair.
Someone found writing a rhyme about seeing their abuser helpful..... A survivors version of 'Little Miss Muffett' Poor mr perv, Stood in the bar waiting for a drink or two. Along came a survivor, stood alongside him, and frightened poor pervy away.	When I am really struggling with intrusive thoughts or memories I choose music to listen to at home. If I think I have anger but cant get in touch with it I play angry music to help me. If I think there are tears that need crying and they are stuck I play tracks that help the tears to flow. I dont really like crying but I have learned that it has helped me feel better inside afterwards.

One member has shared this little story because it has helped over the years as she walks her path of surviving.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
By
Portia Nelson

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the pavement.
I fall in
I am lost.... I am helpless
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out

I walk down the same street,
there is a deep hole in the pavement.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street
there is a deep hole in the pavement.
I see it is there.
I still fall in....it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the pavement.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.

Trying different alternative therapies can really help because it is a way of gining love and nurturing to yourself.

I have tried reflexology because although I have had counselling and also have psychotherapy I have always felt very 'detached' from my body. It was scrarey at first because it meant someone touching me. Once I started going through it really started to change things for me.

I have also tried Indian Head massage which is very good for easing tension and stress. It actually feels quite nice and relaxing once you get over any fear.

Another therapy is cranial sacral which is more specific and helps with both physical healing and emotional release.

If anyone has any questions about these please feel free to contact us by email to ask. Remember to actually type in the email address don't click it as a link.

Be thankful at the end of the day that you are still around and surviving.

I walk alot when the weather is not too wet, sometimes I have my ipod so I can listen to music at the same time.

Sometimes when the Hurting Inside feels really bad I rub my tummy softly over and over until it starts to feel warm and then the hurting gets easier.

Try to give yourself a pat on the back for each little thing you manage to do in a day, even if it is that you managed to make a coffee for yourself.

Join local self help groups like link up or women of worth to meet other folk and reduce lonliness. (See support link page for contact info.)

Try volunteering at charity shops, other organisations to help fill the hours in the day and be amongst people not alone.

When I am really struggling with intrusive thoughts or memories I choose music to listen to at home. If I think I have anger but cant get in touch with it I play angry music to help me. If I think there are tears that need crying and they are stuck I play tracks that help the tears to flow. I dont really like crying but I have learned that it has helped me feel better inside afterwards.

For me playing games on the computer or a games machine seems to get me through some difficult times. It took me awhile to let myself do this and now I know it can help.

Together, we make the difference