When you feel utterly alone, remember: you're not. You may not have access to or contact w/ your tribe, your fellow travelers, your fellow warriors, your fellow survivors at this second, but that does not in any way mean we are not out here. You are one of us, & we value you.

Recovery asks us to risk hope. Which is no small thing, when you've spent the first few decades of your life getting the sh*t kicked out of you.

Don't demand of yourself that you feel or function "better." If demanding things worked, you'd be healed by now. Rather, meet where you are w/ patience & compassion (I know, tall order)-- that's how we realistically build self-esteem, & that's how we feel & function better.

I recommend losing all patience w/ your habit of beating the sh*t out of yourself for not being perfect. Have no tolerance for reflexive cruelty to yourself. Have zero time for self-contempt. No more. Not on your watch.