Living in abusive environments doesn’t just harm our hearts, bodies, and souls, it also wrecks our ability to have healthy relationships. When all you know (or most of what you know) is unhealthy, navigating friendships, family, romance, and even relationships with other survivors can be messy, confusing, and painful. 


I answer a listener question about the challenges of relationships after abuse and how survivors can break out of toxic patterns that helped them survive the past but aren’t serving them now.

In this episode:

Why you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t in an abusive relationship (but that doesn’t apply in healthy ones)Which things you need to GIVE UP and which things you need to TAKE BACK to live in freedom, clarity, and peaceThe critical difference between criticism and feedback (and why both are so difficult for survivors)A mind-blowingly easy technique to reprogram your brain out of negative thought patterns (which are the BIGGEST REASON you feel stuck and miserable and afraid)Some simple, overarching truths about this entire process. Hint: It’s all about YOU in the best way, and there’s no rush 

Access the transcript, read the show notes, and/or ask Natalie a question here

If you are a Christian woman who thinks you may be in an emotionally destructive marriage, learn more at https://flyingfreenow.com

I'll send you (free!) the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage, which has an assessment to help you figure out if your relationship is abusive or not. All you have to do is hop on my mailing list

You can also find out about our online education and support program for women of faith at https://joinflyingfree.com

And finally, if you are a divorced Christian woman who wants to take back her life and get healthy, lose weight, have amazing relationships, get things done, build a business or career, and even find a good man (if you want one) - check out Flying Higher.