It is normal to feel conflicted about doing what’s best for you and/or your children. The emotional part of your brain may still hold onto hope. You may worry about how it will affect the other person. You may feel shame, especially if your abuser has worked hard to convince others that you’re the problem. All of this is emotional backlash—and you cannot let it scare you out of survival. You do not need everyone to agree with you. You don’t even need to feel good about it rig