Angela Simmons Opens Up About Domestic Violence: "I Didn’t Realize What It Was Until I Started Therapy"

Her Experience

The video opens with her briefly discussing her past relationships, focusing on the one that was most toxic, or the one where she was abused. She details some of her past traumas in the relationship, and even talks about when she discovered that she was actually in an abusive relationship.

"I've been in multiple relationships for years and I had one that was...not so great. Toxic. I think we've all be in relationships that are toxic or not right for you, but for me...I guess...you don't realize what you're going through until you go through it and I know that I was going through a lot of verbal abuse. And I didn't realize that's what it was until I started therapy."

She continued:

"I'm not being talked to right, and I'm uncomfortable, and I don't feel good and putting you down and cursing you out, like whatever it is, I've been through that. And after that, eventually comes the domestic abuse. One day something happens and, not that you think it's minor but you think, 'is this really happening to me?' Next thing you know...'I've got a bruise.' It's the craziest thing. You think, 'this could never be me, I'm not that girl. And I was. It shook my world up."

Getting Whole

Angela says getting out the situation was tough for her, but she managed to do so and find herself again.

"Pulling yourself out of it, that's my testimony, that I pulled myself out of it. And not just out of the relationship, but just mentally. I had to comeback. And coming back from that is the hardest thing."

"It's almost like, you have to apologize to yourself, like, 'I'm sorry. Why did I put you through that?' Why would I have allowed a man to put me that low, when I don't even put myself down like that?"

"I have healed about it now that I can speak about it and I'm not crying. When you heal completely, those things no longer trigger me. I really want to encourage therapy, getting a life coach--really digging into what your issues are, but more importantly, embracing them. The hardest part was accepting that this is what I actually went through but I'm stronger, I'm smarter, I'm in a great space mentally, and I am able to have this conversation."

Opening Up

Like many women who are going through an abusive situation, Angela kept her relationship struggles to herself.

"For the longest time, it was something I hid from my friends, my family because I was going through it and I don't know if I was more afraid of what they would think or if I was trying to figure it out for myself. I just know so many women who do hide but are afraid to have the conversation, so for my organization, Pressure Makes Diamonds, I want to open up the floor for women to be there for each other."

"Women need to lean on each other a little more because the stories we have, match."

For the remainder of the video, Angela opens up about losing herself, why helping other women is her priority, and the advice she has for women who are looking to leave a toxic relationship (which is sooooo good, ladies).

Watch the full video below:

Loving this side of Angela!

For the rest of 2021, let's make it a priority to focus on ourselves, ladies. Get that therapist, learn about healthy relationships, and blissfully without the chaos. You deserve it, queen!