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And Just Like That - Everything Changed...
- Rebecca Reece
- May 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 8
(PLEASE BE AWARE - THERE IS STONG LANGUAGE IN THIS BLOG)
Its been a hot minute since I last sat down to write a blog. For those of you who do follow, thank you so much for sticking around so patiently. It is more appreciated than I think any of you know!
The last blog was published on April 6th I do believe, and whilst it may have been quiet on the Meraki front, there has been so much going on behind the scenes.
If you follow on facebook, you will be kinda caught up, but if you don't, fasten your seatbelts folks! Its gonna be a bit of a ride!
Everything has changed!
So, a couple of months back, I went out for drinks with the Browell's mum and sister. It was planned as a chilled out drink but as I'm sure you all know, these things never end that way!
Anyhoo, long story short - the parental unit headed off a couple of hours in, and myself and Emma decided it was way too early to head back so we stopped out and sank a few more.
Disgraceful behaviour I hear you whispering, but what that evening turned into is something pretty special, and it is really starting to get going now.
As you all know, I have always spoken quite openly about my experiences with abuse and the journey I have been on, and during a really emotional conversation that night, we both made the decision that sitting back was no longer working.
As a trained domestic violence workplace champion, Emma had training that is vital for helping people who are in that situation or who have come out and don't know how to manage, and I came with 8 years of personal experience.
Dream team!
We decided that night to set up Shatter the Silence NE in an attempt to create a safe space not only for survivors of abuse, but also for those currently experiencing it, and neither of us have looked back since!
I know that for me, the biggest problem with experiencing abuse is the shame that goes along with it - most of which comes from your abuser making you feel like you deserve everything they are doing.
It becomes almost impossible to speak up.
Unless you are sporting regular bruises in visible places, allowing family and friends to see it, then its hidden behind closed doors.
The longer this goes on, the more difficult it becomes to open up about what is going on, and the more shame and guilt you begin to associate with everything.
Shatter the Silence is all about stopping that and giving you a platform to be heard.
It is all about breaking the stigma that comes with living with abuse, and starting the process of recognising that the shame should not lie with you.
You have nothing to be ashamed of and staying quiet will only make it more difficult to walk away.
Its something that is for anyone and everyone. Its not just focussing on women but on anyone who has found themselves in this situation and needs help and support, or even just someone to talk to.
So, in the spirit of that, I wanted to share something that popped up on my memories the other day.
For those of you who may have missed the warning - the below image has exceptionally strong language in it.
This was the only message that I ever kept from my abuser. It came through after things ended completely whilst I was out having drinks with the bestie. (There seems to be a recurring theme here!)
At the time it completely sucker punched me. I felt sick to my stomach and absolutely terrified but I saved it as a reminder of why I would never go back.
As you all know, I have talked quite openly about my experiences, but never actually shared anything in depth with anyone.
Shatter the Silence has changed that. I am starting to recognise that vague references within the blogs are fine, but its important to put the truth out there not just for me, but for other women. I never shared this because even now, I still feel shame and guilt for what I experienced and that has to stop today!
So there it is in black, white and a lovely shade of bluey green.
My shame.
My guilt, and the very thing I have been trying to move forward from for the last few years.
I knew abuse intimately.
I lived it for many years.
I can promise you that there is life after abuse.
Although those words don't have the same effect now as they did back when they were sent, they still leave me stunned.
They still leave me feeling responsible for every little thing I experienced over those 8 years.
Each one sends me right back to those moments where my whole life was lived on high alert with a constant fear that if I said or did the wrong thing, things would explode and I would be picking up the pieces for days.
Although those who know me know his name, I won't reveal that openly because I am hoping for him that his life has changed, but its very important to remember the following musers -
The only way to start to make change is through having the strength to open up, and whilst it is the hardest thing in the world to do, I can promise you all, its life changing.
I have a long way to go, but I am in the most incredible place now.
My life is mine. Its happy and settled and being lived on my terms, and part of that means working hard to try and help other people in this situation.
Both myself and the female Browell would love your support with Shatter the Silence. I hope beyond hope that you don't need it, but even if you don't, there could be someone you know who is suffering in silence and is too scared to speak out.
Please - follow, like and share for that reason.
Abuse is rife and that one share could be the beginning of a huge change for someone you know.
I also have some super exciting news to add to this as well, and this goes for everyone. Woop woop!
I am about to publish my first two books online in association with Shatter the Silence.
Check out the video with all the details below and keep an eye on the page. As soon as they are live I will be shouting about it to all of you!
These are not just aimed at people who are going through abuse, but at everyone who wants to look at their day in a slightly different way - whether good or bad.
There is a lot more to come, I promise you that, but in the interim, even if you its not for you - when they go live, liking and sharing would be amazeballs!
Anyway, happy Saturday to you all.
Its the first day of the rest of your life so make it something spectacular!
I love you all.
Until next time.......
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