The sharing of stories here is done so with the aim of inspiring and assisting other survivors.
However it can be natural to compare ones own story to another’s, and even to consider that we didn’t have it ‘so bad,’ compared to the others, and so we then diminish our own story and suffering.
Try not to do this, all of our stories are relevant and worthy of love and care and compassion, don’t fall into the trap of diminishing your own story which so often is in alignment of negative conditioning received at the hands of our abusers.
Our abusers tell us that our suffering isn’t real, that we have nothing to complain about (or even that we are ‘lucky’), that nothing happened or that what happened is normal yet secret everywhere….
When we compare our own story to another, and diminish ourselves because we assess that someone ‘had it worse’ – we are falling into the trap that our abusers set for us.
Instead try to hold both, that both versions of suffering is terrible, unjust, immoral, and overwhelming to try to deal with… Your story and your struggles are valid, it is real, and there will always be someone else with a ‘worse’ story… don’t let that make you minimise your own suffering.
Instead if possible, take inspiration, learn from and find common ground with fellow survivors who share their stories here.
I know it’s a tall ask and is easier said than done, but the last thing I’d want is you lessening yourself any more than you already do. I hope it’s ok to ask this of you.
I believe in you, and your story, and your suffering. For what that is worth…