I have not heard of the Gift of Fear.
We go to court on the 12th to find out if the order of protection needs to be extended or not. I'm worried if it is lifted then he will start either 1) harassing/threatening me or 2) manipulating me into letting him come back. It's like the options are either all or nothing, if that makes sense... because having civil contact with him and him respecting what I want/need will never ever happen.
And I know I have access to a women's shelter, but the main thing I wonder is what is it like to stay at one? Is it decent? How many other women will be there? How long can I stay at one?
Also, my family is extremely worried about our safety, but his family is of course believing that this will be his rock bottom and he'll change.
The support on here has been amazing and so helpful. I need to get it out there so that I can continue to remind myself that his behavior is not okay, and I shouldn't stay in an abusive relationship.