By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Ayurveda Practitioner
The Silent Battle
You asked me to lower my walls, to let you in,
To share the turmoil inside my mind.
But the moment my feelings spilled out,
You used them as weapons, cutting deeper than before.
You took my insecurities and sharpened them,
Twisting my words to suit your narrative,
Knowing full well how close I was to the edge,
Yet you kept pushing, watching me teeter in silence.
It felt like you wanted to see me drown,
Pressing the buttons that buried me further within myself,
Playing my emotions like a piano,
Every note dragging me deeper into despair.
You demanded that I dance to your tune,
Turning me into a puppet, hypnotized and lost,
Following your commands like the Pied Piper,
Until I was driven out of my own mind.
And yet, like always, I’ll be the one who bears the blame.
You’ll tell the world that I shut down, closed off like a clam,
That I was too insecure to voice my emotions,
And they’ll believe you,
Like ants swarming to a lollipop left on the floor,
They’ll rally around you, unaware of the truth.
-Leslii Stevens
The Silent Battle: When Vulnerability Becomes a Weapon
In relationships, we’re often encouraged to let our guard down, to share our deepest thoughts and emotions with those we trust. Vulnerability is supposed to be the bridge that connects us, allowing us to forge deeper bonds. But what happens when that very vulnerability is turned against us? When the person we’ve trusted most uses our emotions as weapons to break us down?
For many, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s a painful reality.
The Weaponization of Insecurity
Imagine opening up about your insecurities, trusting that your partner will hold your feelings with care. Now imagine those insecurities being sharpened and used against you. Words you’ve shared in moments of raw honesty get twisted, manipulated to fit a narrative that serves only one purpose: control. This is the insidious nature of emotional abuse.
You might be on the brink of collapse, teetering on the edge of despair. Instead of pulling you back to safety, your partner keeps pushing, watching as you inch closer to the cliff’s edge. The emotional turmoil intensifies, like drowning in an ocean of doubt, while the one who should be your life raft becomes the anchor pulling you under.
Emotional Manipulation as a Form of Control
Abusers know exactly which buttons to press. They play with your emotions as if they were a piano, each note striking deeper into your core. You find yourself lost, trapped in a cycle of manipulation that leaves you questioning your own sanity.
They demand that you conform to their expectations, molding you into a version of yourself that dances to their tune. Like a puppet on strings, you follow their commands, driven further away from who you truly are. It’s a sinister form of control, one that strips away your autonomy and leaves you feeling powerless.
The Unseen Blame and Isolation
When the weight becomes unbearable, and you begin to retreat inward, the abuser shifts the blame. You’re labeled as the problem—too insecure, too closed off, too difficult to communicate with. The narrative is spun, and those around you may unwittingly buy into it, rallying around the abuser like ants to a lollipop left on the floor.
This isolation compounds the pain, making you feel even more alone, and the cycle of abuse continues.
Breaking the Silence
But here’s the truth that must be heard: You are not alone. If these words resonate with you, if you recognize your own experience in these lines, there is help available. No one should endure this kind of emotional abuse in silence.
Resources Are Available
National Domestic Violence Hotline:1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text "START" to 88788
For immediate safety, call 911
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we shine a light on the hidden battles faced by too many. Emotional abuse, though often less visible than physical violence, leaves deep scars that can take years to heal. But healing is possible. By speaking out, reaching out, and seeking support, you can reclaim your voice and your life.
Remember, you deserve to be heard. You deserve to be safe.
Leslii