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Schlepping Through Heartbreak

Making sense and bouncing back when the one you love leaves

Gaslighting
Trust Yourself if You’ve Been Gaslighted!

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on August 6, 2024

A perfect example of gaslighting is when a person’s reality is challenged to the point that she questions her own lived experience. Believing your own reality requires grit.

A perfect example of gaslighting is when a person’s reality is challenged to the point that she questions her own lived experience. Believing your own reality requires grit.

Relationships
When He Abandons You, Don't Abandon Yourself

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on June 30, 2024

Women who have been abandoned from a long-term marriage often blame themselves and take on negative messages from their ex. Instead, they should nurture themselves.

Women who have been abandoned from a long-term marriage often blame themselves and take on negative messages from their ex. Instead, they should nurture themselves.

Law and Crime
He Got Away With It!

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on January 14, 2024

Striving for justice takes a lot of emotional energy and keeps abandoned wives obsessing. You need to know when to give up trying and move upwards and onwards.

Striving for justice takes a lot of emotional energy and keeps abandoned wives obsessing. You need to know when to give up trying and move upwards and onwards.

Divorce
Shed the Victim Mentality

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on November 29, 2023

When you've been victimized, you may be tempted to adopt a victim mentality. Instead, a stoic point of view will help you take adversity and turn it into a challenge.

When you've been victimized, you may be tempted to adopt a victim mentality. Instead, a stoic point of view will help you take adversity and turn it into a challenge.

Divorce
Learning to Trust After Romantic Abandonment

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on July 13, 2023

It is possible to trust again in a new relationship even if you have been abandoned by your husband. Any new relationship will have a different quality from your last.

It is possible to trust again in a new relationship even if you have been abandoned by your husband. Any new relationship will have a different quality from your last.

Wisdom
Powering Up and Powering Out After Your Husband Leaves

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on March 31, 2023

To get your power back, do what all female superheroes do. Get in touch with your own wise woman power to determine the next chapter in your life and start respecting yourself!

To get your power back, do what all female superheroes do. Get in touch with your own wise woman power to determine the next chapter in your life and start respecting yourself!

Marriage
Does How It Ended Negate the Marriage Itself?

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on October 17, 2022

Abandoned wives feel they invested whole-heartedly, fully expecting to be together with their husband till death do them part. Was it under false pretences?

Abandoned wives feel they invested whole-heartedly, fully expecting to be together with their husband till death do them part. Was it under false pretences?

Gratitude
How Can You Feel Your Pain and Also Cultivate Gratitude?

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on June 10, 2022

Personal Perspective: How can you be both authentic and feel your pain while at the same time working on cultivating the awareness that, although you've lost so much, you still have so much left?

Personal Perspective: How can you be both authentic and feel your pain while at the same time working on cultivating the awareness that, although you've lost so much, you still have so much left?

Anxiety
4 Life Lessons I Keep Forgetting

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on April 28, 2021

Over the past 30 years, great teachers have emerged to teach us how to manage life’s struggles. But how do we make their teachings stick?

Over the past 30 years, great teachers have emerged to teach us how to manage life’s struggles. But how do we make their teachings stick?

Motivation
The "Kidult" Husband

Vikki Stark M.S.W., M.F.T. on April 16, 2021

There're some men who seem like overgrown boys – kidults. They like to tease and joke around and try to get their wives to join in. If they cut that out, then life would feel flat.

There're some men who seem like overgrown boys – kidults. They like to tease and joke around and try to get their wives to join in. If they cut that out, then life would feel flat.