Melanie Anthony Psychology

08/09/2025

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."
Dr. Seuss

Artist: Cat in the Hat from the collection of Animazing Gallery & Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.

Paired by Whispers from the Heart

08/09/2025

Agreed!

07/09/2025

This explains so eloquently what I battle to define so often. Thank you.

You are trauma bonded when you don't like them anymore, when every interaction leaves you exhausted and emotionally raw, when they are actively or passively undermining your health and wellbeing, and when you are miserable yet still feel powerless to walk away. It’s when their words, actions, or absence keep you on edge, creating a cycle of hope and disappointment that keeps repeating no matter how much it hurts. You may find yourself questioning your own feelings, your own sense of reality, and even your own worth, as if the very thought of leaving them threatens something deep inside you.

Trauma bonding isn’t about love or loyalty—it’s about a deep psychological attachment formed in the presence of repeated emotional harm mixed with occasional moments of relief or affection. It’s the invisible chain that convinces you to stay even when staying is clearly damaging, the pattern that keeps you returning to someone who drains you emotionally, mentally, and sometimes even physically. You may feel anger, sadness, confusion, and fear all at once, and yet, part of you still clings to them, hoping for a different outcome, a different version of them, or simply fearing the emptiness of letting go.

Breaking free from a trauma bond is not as simple as deciding to leave—it requires acknowledging the cycle, understanding the grip it has on you, and reclaiming your power, piece by piece. And even though it feels impossible at times, it is possible. You can heal, you can detach, and you can rediscover yourself outside of their shadow.

07/09/2025

I’m 70. One thing I’ve learned about life is this: people come and go, just like seasons. Some arrive like spring—bright, warm, full of promise. Others leave like winter storms—sudden, heavy, and without warning.

When I was younger, I thought everyone I loved would stay. Childhood friends, neighbors, even some family. But the truth is, many drifted away. Jobs took them. Time separated us. Distance turned into silence.

At first, it hurt. Every goodbye felt like a piece of me went missing. I used to sit on my porch, wondering if I had done something wrong, if I wasn’t enough to make people stay.

But then—something changed.

One evening, as the sun dipped low, my oldest friend, Clara, stopped by. We’ve known each other since we were twelve. We don’t talk every day, sometimes not even every month. But when she sat beside me, it felt like no time had passed. We laughed at the same old jokes, finished each other’s sentences, and for a moment, I realized: some people never really leave.

They may not always be with you, but they are for you.

And that’s when it clicked. Life isn’t about holding on to everyone—it’s about recognizing the few who hold on to you. The ones who answer the phone at midnight. The ones who remember your birthday without Facebook reminders. The ones who see your soul, not just your smile.

Now, when people drift away, I don’t chase them anymore. I let them go with love. Because the ones meant to stay—the true ones—will always find their way back to my porch light.

So if you feel lonely because someone left, remember this: life has a beautiful way of filtering who belongs. Not everyone is meant to stay forever. But the ones who do? They’re worth more than a thousand who don’t.

At 70, I can tell you this with all my heart—
Don’t count the ones who left. Cherish the ones who stayed. That’s where your real story is. ❤️

24/08/2025

🔗 https://bit.ly/4oGqC8P
Emotional connections formed with an abuser are known as trauma bonds — and healing is possible with the right support.

These bonds can create mixed feelings toward a partner, where moments of manipulation are followed by periods of affection. For those with a history of insecure attachments, this can lead to repeating unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward breaking the cycle and beginning to heal.

02/08/2025

For those of you out there who are in the dating game. Mel you state it perfectly 👌