Inspired Forward

Cut Through the Confusion and Chaos to Live a Well-Organized Life

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How to Recognize Sexual Abuse

There are several types of abuse, and throughout the month of March 2019 you’ll be able to find articles on the following types of abuse (links coming soon!):

But first, let’s define what “abuse” actually means.

The word comes from Latin and Old French words that mean “misused” and “to use wrongly.” Basically, something’s happening that shouldn’t be happening! It’s wrong.

If nothing else, the one thing you should always remember is that abuse is NOT your fault. 

Sexual Abuse

For a lot of people, this is the hardest one to talk about or even think about. What’s difficult for many people to grasp is that it’s not just women who experience sexual abuse. Men do too, but they’re far less likely to speak up about it because of societal pressure and stigma.

When it happens during childhood, it can affect the entire course of your life. It’s psychologically traumatic. And sometimes the victims blame themselves instead of their abusers.

[Read more…]

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How to Recognize Mental Abuse

There are several types of abuse, and throughout the month of March 2019 you’ll be able to find articles on the following types of abuse (links coming soon!):

But first, let’s define what “abuse” actually means.

The word comes from Latin and Old French words that mean “misused” and “to use wrongly.” Basically, something’s happening that shouldn’t be happening! It’s wrong.

If nothing else, the one thing you should always remember is that abuse is NOT your fault.

Mental Abuse

Also known as psychological abuse, mental abuse is targeted at your mind and your sense of sanity and trust in yourself and others. Like most types of abuse, psychological/mental abuse is intertwined with the rest of them. Experiencing sexual abuse can cause psychological damage, as can domestic abuse and financial abuse.

It’s never fair to say you experience just one when they’re all linked together in some way.

Abuse is abuse. It doesn’t have to be physical to be damaging.

[Read more…]

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How to Recognize Financial Abuse

There are several types of abuse, and throughout the month of March 2019 you’ll be able to find articles on the following types of abuse (links coming soon!):

But first, let’s define what “abuse” actually means.

The word comes from Latin and Old French words that mean “misused” and “to use wrongly.” Basically, something’s happening that shouldn’t be happening! It’s wrong.

If nothing else, the one thing you should always remember is that abuse is NOT your fault. 

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is one of those things many people don’t think about, especially if one grows up in a household that minimizes the importance of money or teaches their children that it’s okay for the spouse to control the purse strings.

But in a study by the Centers for Financial Security (pdf warning), financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic abuse cases.

Financial abuse can commonly occur in married couples, but I’ve heard multiple stories of it happening to teenagers and young adults too—any earned money (even when past the age of adulthood) is confiscated or taken to “pay back” the parents for the cost of raising their child.

Now that’s messed up.

[Read more…]

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How to Recognize Emotional & Verbal Abuse

There are several types of abuse. Some are more common and obvious than others. No matter what, emotional & verbal abuse is not your fault.

This month I’m doing something a little different by writing a series of posts under one theme: abuse. There are several types of abuse, and throughout the month of March 2019 you’ll be able to find articles on the following types of abuse (links coming soon!):

But first, let’s define what “abuse” actually means.

The word comes from Latin and Old French words that mean “misused” and “to use wrongly.” Basically, something’s happening that shouldn’t be happening! It’s wrong.

If nothing else, the one thing you should always remember is that abuse is NOT your fault. 

Emotional & Verbal Abuse

“How can you be so stupid? I know we raised you better than that! I can’t believe you actually thought that was a good idea—go to your room. You’re grounded, for life, you worthless, ungrateful fatty.”

[Read more…]

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14 Ways to Show Yourself Some Love

In all the hullabaloo, consumerism, and distaste for Valentine’s day, here’s a list of things for you Single Pringles out there, as well as anyone who just wants to bury their heads under the covers until February 14th goes away. Show yourself some love.

Self-care and self-love are so important in this day and age, especially since it’s becoming more and more evident that loving others—really loving them—is hard if you don’t love yourself first.

And don’t worry—none of these tips involve chocolate.

[Read more…]