This Is Not the End of You

For all who have survived and all who will survive
October 2021

This may be the end of what you thought would last
This may be the end of what you thought was "the real thing"
This may be the end of what you said "I do" to

But

This is not the end of you.

The words she used were hurtful
The things he did were harmful
The time and energy they took can't be replaced
The scars will remain, even after the wounds heal

But

This is not the end of you.

You believed the lie that it was your fault
You thought maybe it was true that you can't do anything right
You can't shake the feeling that you just didn't try hard enough

But

This is not the end of you.

You listen to me now:
You are worth so. much. more.
You are of untold value.
You--yes, YOU!
YOU are loved.
YOU are lovable.
YOU are beloved.

This is not the end of you.

There is hope. There is hope. There is hope.

Let this be the beginning of something new.

This is not the end of you.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing harm in an intimate or familial relationship, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or www.ndvh.org. You can reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or rainn.org. Learn more about building healthy relationships and spreading awareness of domestic and intimate partner violence by visiting the One Love Foundation at joinonelove.org or the Domestic Violence Awareness Project at dawareness.org.