You keep strong, you find strength within yourself where ever you can get it.
I used anger and disgust for strength at that time which is not like me but I needed to use anything I could to take that leap. And my three children... huge motivator. I could not bear to have them suffer because of my choices or because I was afraid. I went to a women's shelter, pressed charges because I had to in order to receive protection and because I was left with some brutal damage to my face and because he attempted to take my life and almost did, there was no way I could risk my children loosing their mother and only having him for them to depend on. Doing that actually empowered me and gave me more strength. I was taking a stand and finally standing up for my self. It was not easy at all, but it was needed.

The women's shelter moved us to a women's shelter in another city where they helped me obtain legal aide and an interm custody and guardianship order without my husbands knowledge or consent. He was notified after the fact. I was then moved to another women's shelter in another city by choice for my own safety. I was given help with furniture and clothing and other things since we had to leave everything behind. I was directed to financial help and found a place for me and my kids.

Now my life is pretty good. My kids are growing up, we have a nice house, I have a real life, peace and joy, a strong relationship, I am truly happy, my kids are happy.
But I would not have that if I would not have got out. Not at all

Trust me it is doable. My children were only 2 and a half, 4 and 5 at the time, I had no friends or family to turn to. I did not know how I was going to do it by myself. But there is help out there, and lots of it you just have to be willing to ask and willing to be brave and get yourself out.It might feel like the hardest thing you have ever had to do, and it might be, but you can do it. It takes a lot to endure abuse after abuse, It takes a lot to get out, but you have it in you as you have already seen what you can endure and survive. You just have to take that step.

You have to realize you are worth so much more and your children are too. I know for myself, even on my own with no help it was way way way easier than waking up to him everyday. At least I knew what to expect and I knew I could rely on myself. I knew there would be peace in my home. I knew I my children and I would be safe.

You take it one step at a time, and then the next. You don't try to figure out the whole picture, that is way to overwhelming. You make a plan to get out, a simple plan..where to go, how to get there and when. And you keep yourself safe by not letting him know where you are, that you are leaving, you do it when he is not going to be around. If you fear for your safety then I really feel that getting help from a shelter is the best way to go because they can guide you, assist you any way you need, and they have a lot of experience with this, plus they keep you somewhere safe where he cannot come.