I survived 20 years of sexual abuse & violence. 2 of those ocassions happened on my birthday & 1 happened on Christmas Day. Lots of other sexual abuse happened on different days of the year, but christmas and birthdays are memorable, and I really wish they weren't. Memorable dates are much harder to shake, I've found.

I've ran away from my old family 25 years ago, and I still have flashback-nightmares and other awful effects of the trauma. But I know there isn't a time-limit on recovery. My experiences may be different to yours, but I truly believe our ability to deal with these memories improve over time. Back when I first ran, a flashback would have me floored for days - I'd end up drinking and hurting myself until I felt ok enough to just survive daily life. Nowadays, I end up in tears and feel crap, but it doesn't last for long - sometimes for a few hours, and maybe the most is 2 days. I don't know if I'll ever stop having these flashback/nightmares of the abuse - it went on for almost half my life (starting when I was 3). But I know I can mostly deal with it, thanks to decades of different types of therapy.

I wish you all the best with things. I hope you can be gentle with yourself.