I'm new here & apologize if I'm doing this wrong but I need some outside thoughts.
I've been in a relationship (on & off) for over 13 years. It's always been on the difficult side to try & make work but I've done almost everything he asks or I can think of to make him happy & feel part of my family. I have 3 children that aren't his, that's what I refer to as "my family"
In a conversation today with a dear friend about what was going on, she shared that from where she stood... I've been in an abusive relationship for years & need to get out before it gets worse. He's never hit me, only threats toward me & now my kids. I'm sure I may sound stupid, but I NEVER thought of myself as in an abusive relationship....it was just stupid arguments & I should've knew better because I know what he expects & doesn't. As I've spent some time online reading & learning what "abuse" can be, I'm shocked. I've told him he needs to get out of my house asap, but he's got no where to go.
I don't know what to do now. Or where to start to get my life back, find myself again. I honestly don't even know how to separate my true thoughts from the things he's lead me to believe about myself. I don't know how to find the truth or if I'd recognize it if I did find it.
Any thoughts or advice is much appreciated.
Thank you