How to feel safe

Mandi Pratt wasn’t looking to be a badass. She just wanted to be safe: to be sure my son and I would be ok.

She wanted to know how, as a woman, to be smarter not necessarily stronger than any bad guy or her former husband, a bank robber and fugitive wanted by the FBI. She felt out of control. Full of worry. She was alone and overwhelmed.

After enough worry and frustration she finally found a mentor to teach me how to get past all the noise and simply defend myself. Now she is her own bodyguard and she other women of all ages how to do the same.

Here are the takeaways…

Strong mental and emotional boundaries in early life lead to healthier relationships in adulthood
All abuse is abuse, there isn’t a hierarchy of “good abuse” or “bad abuse”. All abuse is problematic.
Emotional abuse can be sneaky. You may not see it but you will feel it in small ways with an impulse to “fix yourself” or “just need to do it right”, or “if I was just better” or it may come from some other person.
Abusers are manipulative. If someone you know says there’s a problem, there’s a problem. Do not justify abuse.
You are your own hero and do not have to wait for someone to give you permission.
Everyone deserves to live in peace
Ask yourself how it feels to be treated the ways you are treated. If it's good, great. If it doesn't feel good, ask yourself if that's what you want to be normal and seen as normal by your children.
Every woman should know how to keep herself safe both physically and emotionally. It's important to educate yourself.
If something bad happens to you, it doesn't mean you are a bad person or have done anything wrong. It is not your fault. Give yourself compassion.
Trust yourself. If something feels good, do more of it. If it doesn't feel good, walk away.
If you aren't comfortable with something, say you aren't comfortable.
Saying a loud "No!" is a self defense mechanism. You can use your hand, extend your arm and make a "stop motion" to add even more power.