20/01/2026
Coercive control doesn’t just live in conversations.
It lives in the body.
For me, the clearest sign wasn’t always what was said, it was how my body felt before anything was said.
The tight chest when my phone buzzed.
The constant alertness.
The way my system never fully settled, even in quiet moments.
Coercive control creates an environment where the body learns it isn’t safe to relax.
Not because of one moment, but because of ongoing unpredictability, pressure, or loss of choice over time.
These responses aren’t weakness.
They’re intelligent survival adaptations.
Healing isn’t about forcing calm or “letting it go.”
It’s about rebuilding safety through choice, boundaries, and supportive spaces where your nervous system doesn’t have to stay on guard.
If your body still feels unsafe long after the situation has changed, you’re not broken.
And you don’t have to navigate that alone.
If you’re looking for gentle, trauma-informed support, I will soon be launching a Mental Wellbeing Club which offers a non-judgemental space to learn regulation techniques, find connection and support .
You can also reach out for 1:1 support if that feels more right for you.
Comment HEAL below if you'd like to be the first to receive more info 💛