When you face emotional, mental, or physical abuse in a relationship, your mind and heart bear the damage and cause so many twisted feelings. Self-loathing, inexplicable anger, and warped grasps on reality can overcome you in an abusive relationship—sometimes so much that you don't even realise what is being done to you. Unfortunately for some, it takes a breaking point, an event so painful, to reel the victim out of the violent waters of abuse. But this moment is lifesaving, and so many things start to happen when you are finally free.

1. You see the relationship through new eyes.

Abuse tends to deform how we see our circumstances. Once you move away from an abusive relationship, you're able to see it from a new, refined perspective. Instead of constantly being manipulated to ignore the abuse, you can reflect and see how alarming your circumstances truly were. This is a vital part in healing.

2. You learn to depend on yourself for happiness.

For so many, an abusive relationship and its concealed ability to construe your thoughts disables you from loving yourself individually, apart from the relationship. While you once depended on you significant other and the fickle foundation of the partnership, you now have to walk alone, heal alone, and love yourself alone. It's a slow process, but the most rewarding.

3. People assume things.

No matter when, where, or how it happens, your relationship will be talked about by people outside of it. Whether it is your loved ones or those people against you, there will always be something to say about it. It's important to stay grounded in the truth and not to get caught up in others' opinions of your well being.

4. You question if you made the right choice.

It's hard to leave something that seemed so sweet, so real on the outside. It's normal to wonder if things could have changed for the better. This is that manipulative trait resonating on your heart. Again, hold close to truth and love, and you won't fall back.

5. You gain a new sense of freedom.

As awful as it sounds, it really happens to people—relationships act like a prison for some, not allowing you to speak to a friend, wear certain clothes, or listen to certain music. The rules you once followed because they were "good for the relationship" and made your partner "happier" are finally exposed for their ridiculous nature. You begin to realize what it's like to have nothing hold you back.

6. You learn new things about yourself, and you like it.

Ending a toxic relationship is like coming up for a breath of fresh air, wading out of the water, and remaining on land where everything is bright, warm, and new. You are no longer devoting your energy to unreachable standards, but you are devoting energy to yourself. It's nice, and it's as if you're meeting yourself for the first time.

7. You see the damage that has been done.

It hurts to know that things lost can't be returned sometimes. Sometimes abusive relationships lead you to abandoning your friends, your studies, your job, and anything else worth prioritizing over your partner. Some bridges cannot go unburned, and it's okay to accept this. You learn to forgive others and yourself for the damage done.

8. You see dating and relationships differently.

Leaving a violent relationship gives you a new perspective on future dating opportunities.You know the signs of abuse and can avoid these red flags when you see them. You understand that you do not need a relationship in order to be happy, but you also know that there are better, nicer fish in the sea that you deserve—and you can happily pursue them.

9. You never look back.

You process. You heal. You happily move on. You don't hurt anymore, and you come out stronger than ever. There will be a day when you think about the pain you endured, but you don't let it take a hold on you like it used to.