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OP/ED
The following article is part two of a four-week series focusing on raising awareness about dating violence. February is Dating Violence Awareness month, and we hope to educate our community on this very important issue. One in 3 young people will experience dating violence in their lifetime.
Locally, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,269 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell Counties.
“Love yourself before others can love you” This is a common suggestion for healthy relationships, but what if you are already with someone? Is there a test you must pass to prove you love yourself? Should you break up with your partner to start this journey?
NO! There is no right time to start this journey, and it can be difficult to recognize that we need to spend a little more time nurturing a relationship with the one person who will always be there, you.
While we may think our thoughts, feelings and self-talk are independent and separate from our relationships, they are inherently linked. It can feel counterproductive to begin to take time away from others to focus on yourself, but the more we practice “me time” to nurture ourselves, the benefits begin to add up.
Here are some different ways to develop and strengthen self-love in a relationship:
• Maintain a healthy time apart from your partner doing things on your own.
• Remember that at the end of the day, you are responsible for your own happiness.
• See yourself in what your partner sees in you.
• Flaws can be uncomfortable, but we all have them. Bringing to light our flaws is natural in a relationship, they do not mean you are a terrible or unlovable person, it means you’re human.
• Forgive yourself.
• Love is an action, not just a feeling. Choose to act in a self-loving way.
• Nurture your needs.
We are committed to providing free, safe, and confidential services to victims of dating violence. If you are experiencing dating violence, please call our HELPLine 24/7 at 512-3964357. HCWC’s Counseling & Resource Center has a counselor specifically focused on Dating Violence and our Prevention Educators are available to give presentations and education about dating violence.
