----->When we feel we've been treated badly, it is gratifying to hear others confirm that we were used or abused. But I wouldn't go confiding to people at random. Close family and old friends might be okay to confide in. Support groups like this are appropriate for sharing your situation and getting feedback.

People are nosey. New people you meet will be curious about why your kids are with you and where's their mother. Don't mistake curiosity for empathy.<----

ITA with this.

One of the toughest, and potentially confusing, parts of recovering from being immersed in someone else's disorder, is how good the truth actually feels. Once you take the rose colored glasses off, and quit covering for/catering to the disordered person, there can be a sense of reality and freedom that you haven't felt in a long time. It feels good and you want to stay in that vein- want the other person to finally be responsible for their share of the mess.

But it's confusing because we still doubt ourselves. It's natural and normal to look to other people to validate us, but not everyone is appropriate for that role, and even then it's a good idea to contemplate the details and just how much to share with them. Sharing too much, or the wrong thing, can end up being off-putting.

Only share any gritty details with people that you know are unconditionally in your corner. Other people get a glossed over version, or nothing at all - and that's generally only if they ask the questions to begin with. It's important to own your truth, but there can be a fine line before you risk coming across as "playing the victim" (even if you legitimately are the victim).