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	<title>Sarah Saxby, Author at Comfortable Hell</title>
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		<title>Does Control Really Reduce Anxiety?</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/does-control-really-reduce-anxiety/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/does-control-really-reduce-anxiety/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:19:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1618</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What does it really mean to control people or situation and does control really reduce anxiety? For me, I learned that it does not.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/does-control-really-reduce-anxiety/">Does Control Really Reduce Anxiety?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="1618" class="elementor elementor-1618">
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			<style>/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 20-03-2024 */
.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}</style>				<p>I heard someone say recently that the reason people control is to reduce anxiety. It seems like a pretty obvious concept, but to me it was a very new way of looking at it.</p><p>We control people and/or situations to reduce that dreaded feeling of anxiousness.</p><p>The more restrictions we place on others, the more we monitor and hover, the more we force desired outcomes, we just might be able to rest our heads at night until we open our eyes in the morning and continue to plan out every minute detail of the upcoming day, because if we don&#8217;t&#8230;&#8230;what? What will happen exactly?</p><p>This takes me back to my most recent relationship dynamic.</p><p>I have mentioned in previous blogs that I was &#8220;<a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-did-i-allow-this-to-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">owned</a>&#8220;, I was an extension of him.</p><p>He controlled the finances and how money was spent. He reviewed the phone bill every month and the numbers coming in and out of my phone. He controlled where I went, either by showing up or using guilt to get himself invited to wherever I wanted to go. He followed me to work. He demanded that I talk to him to and from work and during my entire lunch. He hacked my social media. He listened to phone conversations.</p><p>When he felt he was losing control, he would yell or demand. You could feel his anxiety building as the reins got tighter. The unimaginable fear he must have felt. Like living death, I would imagine. How hard must that have been to 100% orchestrate the life of another person? The energy that had to have taken and like I said in the beginning, for what?</p><p>What would happen if I went out with friends? What would happen if I went to the bank by myself? What would happen if I had 4 unknown numbers on my phone? Well, it must be death, because what else is there?</p><p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1633 size-large" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/controlling-people-or-situation-1024x683.jpg" alt="controlling people or situation" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/controlling-people-or-situation-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/controlling-people-or-situation-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/controlling-people-or-situation-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/controlling-people-or-situation.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>With that said, being a life-long student of the <a href="https://www.kabbalah.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kabbalah Centre</a>, I know all too well that what you see in others, you possess, as well.</p><p>So where are the places that I control to avoid those horrible feelings?</p><p>Well let&#8217;s see&#8230; I control my behavior, as to not upset those around me. If I carefully survey the room, and those in it, so I can pick up on their feelings, I will act accordingly, mitigating my behavior to reduce any sort of possible tension.</p><p>I control conversations in a way where I cannot, under any circumstances, allow someone else in my presence to say something stupid. Oh, and if they do, I make up for it. I laugh and joke so the other person doesn&#8217;t get confronted in my presence.</p><p>I realize I only do this to protect myself. It&#8217;s not about protecting the other person &#8211; it&#8217;s about protecting ME!</p><p>So here we are, self-protection.</p><p>Control, at all costs, to avoid anxiety, to avoid what feels like death.</p><p>It&#8217;s inside of me as much as anyone else, but for me, I vow to change.</p><p>My only option to uproot this insane control/anxiety cycle is to breathe through it, center myself, and stand in the face of it. Yes, it hurts, but only for a few seconds, because on the other side of that challenge is absolute freedom and paradise.</p><p>For the first 50 years of my life, I have been accepting endless hurt. I was playing this ridiculous game of tiptoeing around so everything fell into place exactly as I thought it should, but it NEVER felt good. It was exhausting, to put it lightly.</p><p>All I ever really had to do was stand and watch the situation move through me, with possibly three seconds of agony, as opposed to a lifetime of it.</p><p>So, does control REALLY reduce anxiety at the end of the day?</p><p>It does not, so I accept the upcoming challenges, as I move closer to my true paradise, free from the chains of control.</p><p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1625" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Control-Really-Reduce-Anxiety_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="Does Control Really Reduce Anxiety_ComfortableHell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Control-Really-Reduce-Anxiety_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Control-Really-Reduce-Anxiety_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Control-Really-Reduce-Anxiety_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Does-Control-Really-Reduce-Anxiety_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/does-control-really-reduce-anxiety/">Does Control Really Reduce Anxiety?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>Our Wounds Follow Us on Vacation</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/our-wounds-follow-us-on-vacation/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/our-wounds-follow-us-on-vacation/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:35:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1580</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Paradise is no longer on the outside because our wounds aren’t going away when we’re on a beach – yes, our wounds follow us on vacation.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/our-wounds-follow-us-on-vacation/">Our Wounds Follow Us on Vacation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>As I approach the one-year anniversary of my escape from Comfortable Hell, Part 1, I’m well aware of the road still in front of me, but I’m looking through a very different frame this time around. There’s this very strange dichotomy that exists inside of me. I’m sure it’s always been there, but the difference is my current willingness to accept, allow, and ultimately engage with events in my life that will either make or break me.</p><p>In the past, I chose to turn a blind eye to anything and everything that went against my beliefs, my boundaries (as poorly built as they were), and my soul’s knowing. There’s a feeling of worthlessness that I’ve carried around all my life, and that worthlessness creates a sanctuary for abusive treatment, be it from partners, family members, friends, or co-workers &#8211; it really doesn’t matter. I felt I was of zero value inside and so I was taken advantage of, many times and in many ways.</p><p>Now the beautiful thing about the challenges I have been given is that I can see these challenges in other people, very clearly. It’s bittersweet, actually, because although I can see this wound in others and have the ability to help, that doesn’t mean others are ready to face that wound and step out of Comfortable Hell. I have so many people around me that I love so much, but they refuse to look at the REAL issues, the ones that they push down and lie to themselves about every single day of their lives.</p><p>We are all suffering greatly these days, not just emotionally, but physically. Internal suffering will eventually manifest itself physically, mark my words, and our current culture still supports the belief that the key to ending the suffering will be found externally, so we spin our wheels.</p><p>We’ve been lied to for a very long time. You see, I know now that the escape from my self-inflicted agony was on the other side of a door that was and always will be wide open. When I look back over the five-plus years before my most recent breakaway, I see myself living in a dark, monotone, and stormy environment.</p><p>It looked pretty and colorful on the outside, I made sure of that, but behind the scenes was chaos and <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-did-i-allow-this-to-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overwhelming torture</a>. Yet, there I sat, with my world blowing around me in a gray, destructive manner. This, this is what I accepted to live out the days of my existence. The million-dollar question here is, why?</p><p>As I sat and suffered in my whirlwind of madness, I began to notice a doorway that had a bright neon sign right above it. That sign said, “Enter: Ultimate Freedom.” That same doorway was actually given to each and every one of us at birth and never closes, it never shuts down.</p><p>What the other side looks like physically will vary from person to person. I know for me I saw the sun and beautiful mountains and lakes. There were birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. I could tell that the temperature on that side was so perfect that you couldn’t determine the difference from inside or outside your body. Every breath of the crisp air could cleanse and heal any ailments and afflictions. I could also see friends and family, all healthy and thriving, laughing and loving one another, with only unity and respect.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/self-inflicted-agony.jpg" alt="a sad woman in black sweater on the floor representing the article &quot;Our Wounds Follow Us on Vacation&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="1200" height="800" /></p><p>When I looked down this very reachable pathway, I didn’t just see freedom, I felt it internally, as external paradise can ONLY manifest from the inside out. So why was I not running toward this obvious heaven on earth? I wasn’t chained to my current situation. Well, not physically anyway.</p><p>It seems so ridiculously dumb when I look at it this way, but I was indeed powerless to walk in that direction, for many, many years. I realize now that the only thing weighing me down were suitcases of emotions, clutched in both hands, also given to me at birth.</p><p>There have been countless scenarios in my life, all divinely orchestrated, that attempted to open these suitcases, but my biggest talent is cushioning these interactions so those emotions don’t get touched. I do not want to feel, period. I have never been who I truly am, and ultimately here to be, not ever, not a day in my life. The gift of exposing the real me comes with a very expensive price tag of letting that baggage go and feeling the pain I’ve avoided for lifetimes.</p><p>Some people say they’d rather die than speak in public. For me, public speaking is a walk in the park compared to my fear of facing emotions, yet that is the ONLY thing that kept me, and still keeps me, from internal paradise. I know that I can change a variety of things in my environment, like buy a new house, date a new guy, or go on a cruise, but the wounds come with me wherever I go. Have you noticed that?</p><p>Paradise is no longer on the outside because our wounds aren’t going away when we’re on a beach vacation anymore. We just can’t seem to shake the unhappiness and unfulfilled feeling inside. Now, more than any time that has ever existed on this planet is the time to stop turning that blind eye to what we&#8217;ve ignored and swore that we would never address.</p><p>It’s like having issues with sleeping and being addicted to caffeine. We tell ourselves, “oh, I know it’s not the caffeine, it can’t be,” as we continue to sleep two hours a night and look for easier, less painful ways to deal with our sleep issues than give up the addiction that is so obviously the cause.</p><p>Only you know what your “caffeine&#8221; is and it can typically be found by answering the question “where am I lying to myself?” This is deep, my friends, and if you’re really willing to go that deep, you will shake and feel sick upon what you find. That’s when you know you’ve arrived at the most protected part of your suffering. Welcome it because you asked for it. It is the ONLY key to unlocking the chains that keep you from the true freedom you’ve been searching for all your life.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Our-Wounds-Follow-Us-on-Vacation_Comfortoble-Hell.jpg" alt="an image of a sad woman with quotes from " width="1200" height="800" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/our-wounds-follow-us-on-vacation/">Our Wounds Follow Us on Vacation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>How Do You Feel About You?</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/how-do-you-feel-about-you/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/how-do-you-feel-about-you/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2023 01:57:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1562</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Things are so different today, and I'm not talking only about me, things are way different for everyone. Time is moving so fast and situations are condensed. Nothing is dragged out for years anymore.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-do-you-feel-about-you/">How Do You Feel About You?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>I&#8217;ve taken a little bit of a break from writing, but I think that needs to happen sometimes. Writing this blog has been hard work and emotionally taxing, but at the same time it has been somewhat cleansing. Within this most recent break amazing things have happened, my reality has shifted. I wouldn&#8217;t say things have gotten easier, but for sure they have gotten clearer. My understanding has deepened and my consciousness has expanded.</p><p>I&#8217;ve spent quite some time talking about what I&#8217;ve &#8220;endured&#8221; in my past, and through my writing, getting out the anger that I&#8217;ve been accumulating over the years. This has subsequently taught me how to feel and face emotions I never, ever thought I would touch. I have allowed people that I believed to be friends or trustworthy to do whatever they want to me with zero consequences. I never had the courage to call it out when it was happening to me, although I knew it was.</p><p>Those emotions, the fears that get poked when standing up for myself or calling out someone&#8217;s <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abuse</a>, those are the ones that I keep inside two suitcases, one in each hand. I carry these suitcases from one situation to another like a pack mule whose only job is to get from one place to another with a bunch of worthless junk strapped to them that serves zero purposes. I grip these emotional treasure chests so tightly, certain to never accidentally spill them and cause me to feel what&#8217;s inside, or even worse, cause someone else to feel them at my expense.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1568" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests-1024x683.jpg" alt="a woman in white dress carrying a vintage suitcase, representing the article &quot;How Do You Feel About You?&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/emotional-treasure-chests.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>Today, I&#8217;m a bit of what I can only describe as a runaway freight train, forcing people to feel the emotions that I, unbeknownst to them, carried for many, many years. For me it was like, if you feel bad, then I will feel worse, so allow me to ignore the reality of the situation in hopes to avoid what I&#8217;ve packed in those suitcases. I can take it, you cannot, so go ahead and lie, <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/bully-and-the-betrayer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">betray</a>, control, steal, and manipulate. I will continue to pseudo-love you and exhaust every ounce of my soul so you won&#8217;t be tempted to open that fear luggage of mine.</p><p>Flash forward and I have now decided to hold people accountable for everything I&#8217;ve let slide under the table in hopes to avoid truly feeling the fear. Conversely, if I am also to be held accountable for past wrongdoing, the same rules apply &#8211; feel the fear!</p><p>Things are so different today, and I&#8217;m not talking only about me, things are way different for everyone. Time is moving so fast and situations are condensed. Nothing is dragged out for years anymore. Something happens and boom, it&#8217;s a blip on a screen.</p><p>Feelings are so intense, by design. You&#8217;ve got to feel it to heal it. Physical things are no longer the cause of our happiness, it&#8217;s quite the opposite. We have to feel good first, then the corresponding beauty appears before our eyes.</p><p>Everything that happens now is between you and you. Everything is about your feelings and what you&#8217;re willing to face. Our ONLY option is to let go of those suitcases, let them break open, let them explode. Feel the uneasiness, the awkwardness, the cringe, it&#8217;s OK!</p><p>How do you feel about you? The answer should always be &#8220;free.&#8221;</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1567" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Do-You-Feel-About-You_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="How Do You Feel About You_ComfortableHell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Do-You-Feel-About-You_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Do-You-Feel-About-You_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Do-You-Feel-About-You_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-Do-You-Feel-About-You_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-do-you-feel-about-you/">How Do You Feel About You?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>Tradeoffs Are Expensive</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/tradeoffs-are-expensive/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2022 10:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1535</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Continuing to push your desires under the rug will not last, you will inevitably be forced to live them. The choice is ALWAYS yours, but tradeoffs will get more expensive as time goes on.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/tradeoffs-are-expensive/">Tradeoffs Are Expensive</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>I was talking with my herbalist a few weeks ago and he mentioned the word “tradeoff.” In the context of our conversation, it had to do with anxiety and wine. Basically, I was going through some serious fight-or-flight days and he asked me if having a glass of wine at night helps me to relax.</p><p>Unfortunately, oftentimes wine gives me a headache, but I understood where he was going with this. When I told the herbalist about my mixed feelings toward a glass of wine, he said “when you’re healing, sometimes there have to be tradeoffs.”</p><p>In this case, if the wine was going to relax me, it was worth risking a bit of a headache because my being calm at the end of the day was currently more important for my health. This type of tradeoff made sense to me, it was in my best interest and was ultimately a stepping stone to me getting back on my emotionally strong feet.</p><p>Flash forward to today and the word “tradeoff” is coming up for me again but in a much different way. If you think about it, how significant are tradeoffs in your life and where do they show up? A little hint, we women literally make them all day long, with everything we do… and I mean EVERYTHING!</p><p>The best (actually worst) part about this is that we make a conscious decision to ignore what we&#8217;re actually trading off. We bury those self-sacrifices very deep, in a place we wish would just make them go away. The reason why I say that we make the tradeoff decisions consciously, as opposed to unconsciously, is because we are painfully aware of them.</p><p>Women are natural-born intuitives. We know what&#8217;s gonna happen WAY before it actually does, especially with our kids and/or people very close to us. There is rarely a time when we move forward without our gut FIRST giving us the truth, a sign, or better yet, a warning. But still, we live every day like we have weights tied around our ankles and, once again, begin the daily hike up the mountain that has no top.</p><p>So, to what end do we make this daily trek? When do we really think the self-sacrificing is going to pay off? When do we plan to cash in our chips for all of the tradeoffs we’ve made over the years to merely keep the status quo in our environment and, better yet, what exactly are we protecting by fighting so hard to maintain the status quo?</p><p>I remember my mom always telling me that my dad was a “good provider.” Although I was young, I could sense a person’s sadness or lack of comfort a mile away, and certainly my own mother’s. I never felt like she was internally happy or that she experienced true joy and inner peace. So, when I asked her why she was even with my dad, the only answer I ever received was that he was a “good provider.”</p><p>Translation: she sacrificed her internal happiness. She pushed down all of the things that COULD have brought her joy, like laughing with friends, going dancing, living in Montana, traveling to interesting places and meeting new people, extreme sports (yes, my mother would have jumped out of an airplane), going to social gatherings, and staying out late, and spending time around children.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1539" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives-1024x683.jpg" alt="in an open field is a woman wearing a black hat with her back to the camera, representing the article &quot;Tradeoffs Are Expensive&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/natural-born-intuitives.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p> </p><p>She sacrificed all of these amazing things because my dad was not interested in any of them and he was the “provider.” He provided her with a small home, a car, food, clothing, and one vacation a year. At least my mom could buy a photo album and throw some pictures in there as a reminder of all she wasn’t allowed to do.</p><p>My mom stayed small so my dad could remain big (in a sense). And what was she protecting? Her fear of rocking the boat and possibly losing the “<a href="https://comfortablehell.com/skinny-cow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skinny cow</a>,” the excruciatingly painful status quo, and the image of a content wife and mother she fought hard to maintain. She was raised to believe that she couldn’t make it alone, so it’s better off to have a warm body around that can change a lightbulb and pay a bill.</p><p>If I had a nickel for every woman that has recently said to me “yeah, this is just how it is for me, there’s nothing I can do about it, but it’s fine&#8221;, I would be kinda rich. WHY IS LIVING THIS WAY “FINE”???</p><p>Why not rock the boat for a shot at real pleasure, endless energy, excitement, and paradise? That is what we’re in this world to experience. But we hold on, with both hands, as tight as we can, to the pain of mediocrity, kissing our needs, desires, and dreams goodbye, while exhausting ourselves to appear Facebook-happy.</p><p>I am speaking from experience when I say that continuing to push your desires under the rug will not last, you will inevitably be forced to live them. The ONLY difference is the path you take to get there, but you will get there. The choice is ALWAYS yours, but tradeoffs will get more expensive as time goes on.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1540" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tradeoffs-Are-Expensive_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="Tradeoffs Are Expensive_ComfortableHell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tradeoffs-Are-Expensive_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tradeoffs-Are-Expensive_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tradeoffs-Are-Expensive_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tradeoffs-Are-Expensive_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/tradeoffs-are-expensive/">Tradeoffs Are Expensive</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Tale of the Bully and the Betrayer: The Perfect Match</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/bully-and-the-betrayer/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/bully-and-the-betrayer/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 26 Nov 2022 10:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dating]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1520</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It's never-ending, but it’s no longer Sov's circus. So, best wishes to the bully and the betrayer - there was never a more perfect match.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/bully-and-the-betrayer/">The Tale of the Bully and the Betrayer: The Perfect Match</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>I know this guy, we will call him DB. DB is a master manipulator and a predator. He is insecure, obnoxious, and angry. He&#8217;s had two long-term relationships and both times they ended with his partners calling him a monster, which, by all intents and purposes, is a pretty harsh thing to be called.</p>
<p>Both ex-partners wrote about the abuse and torture they experienced at the hands of DB, but if you ask him, he will tell you he&#8217;s quite a catch. DB&#8217;s last partner, Sov, left him high &amp; dry not too long after his last abusive explosion. It was heartbreaking because she loved her home and had to make the brave choice to uproot everything and everyone in the process. Sadly, she also had to give up the only puppy she ever owned because, according to experts, including her local police department, going &#8220;<a href="https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/criminal-law-no-contact-orders-18257" target="_blank" rel="noopener">no contact</a>&#8221; with a sociopath, stalker, and wack-job is really the only option.</p>
<p>DB greatly disliked being left so abruptly because he lost all control over Sov. He no longer had his energy supply. Frantically, he had to find something, some way, maybe even someONE to help him gain back some power. But who, you may ask, would be unconscious enough to fall into his next trap?</p>
<p>Allow me to introduce Blair. Blair is a very angry person. &nbsp;She&#8217;s generally miserable, makes&nbsp;everyone around her miserable, believes her way is the only way, and is very jealous of Sov. I guess you can say she would be the perfect victim for DB&#8217;s manipulation tactics &#8211; eager to believe the lies that fall from his mouth because, finally, someone would be validating her delusional feelings about Sov. Yay!!</p>
<p>You see, Blair is married to Sov&#8217;s ex-husband and has incessant thoughts of him running back to her. It&#8217;s pretty jacked up, actually. Because if Blair feels that way, that&#8217;s her own BS, as Sov never gave any impression that she ever wanted her ex back, nor would she ever entertain the thought of taking him back. He wasn&#8217;t good enough for her then or now. &nbsp;He is a weakling and a doormat. I can, however, understand Blair&#8217;s concern and jealousy over Sov, as she is a queen. She is the whole package &#8211; honest, kind, intelligent, funny, just beautiful inside and out.</p>
<p>Over the years, Sov offered nothing but friendship to Blair, mostly to keep peace within the families. Sov&#8217;s children are first and foremost in her life and she wanted to make sure they only were witnesses to mature, supportive interactions among all of their parents. For the most part, that is what they experienced. Blended families can be difficult, but Sov (while eating a lot of shit sandwiches) was an adult and kept things peaceful for her children. Really, from anyone&#8217;s point of view, Sov and Blair appeared to be friends&#8230;at least Sov believed they were.</p>
<p>They hung out here and there, confided in each other, shared experiences and feelings, and offered advice to one another. All the things friends typically do. But there was&nbsp;also something that didn&#8217;t feel quite right within Sov. It was like this internal voice constantly telling her NOT to trust Blair, but she ignored that inner guidance. She foolishly wanted to believe that all people were honest and trustworthy, especially Blair, and particularly right before leaving DB.</p>
<p>This was a time when Sov felt incredibly alone, afraid, and unaware of what move she should make. For the very first time, Sov spoke up about the horrific abuse, manipulation, and torture she had been enduring for many years, as Blair listened. Blair&#8217;s immediate advice &#8211; &#8220;Sov, you are being abused and you need to get the hell out of that house.&#8221; And so, she did.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1524" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman-1024x604.jpg" alt="closeup image of three woman standing against each other's back with their head down, representing the article &quot;The Tale of the Bully and the Betrayer: The Perfect Match&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="472" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman-1024x604.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman-300x177.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman-768x453.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman-1536x906.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/betrayed-woman.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p>Now Sov was no stranger to betrayal, her mom taught her all about that at an early age. Trust those that seemingly love you, watch as they feed you to the wolves, and understand that you are <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-did-i-allow-this-to-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">powerless</a> to do anything about it anyway. Shrink yourself so others around you can feel big. Stay quiet so your environment will remain safe and comfortable. In Sov&#8217;s life, there always seemed to be a bully and a betrayer. Someone that abused her and another person that fell victim to that abuser&#8217;s manipulation &#8211; and then subsequently betrayed Sov.</p>
<p>It was a divine and beautifully orchestrated opportunity for transformation, but without the corresponding awareness, it just manifests as yet another hardship to endure&#8230; over, and over, and over again.</p>
<p>As you might have guessed, Blair betrayed Sov. She reached out to DB, took him to lunch &#8211; as she put it &#8220;to make sure he was ok.&#8221; She was concerned for his well-being and told Sov she was a liar and made up the stories of abuse. Ha, right. Sov spent hours crafting stories of sexual, emotional, financial, and verbal abuse, and stalking so she can uproot her children, her home, and leave the only puppy she ever loved. Her exact words were &#8220;I can do whatever the fuck I want to do&#8221;. &nbsp;Obviously, this was not about Sov, it was about Blair and her own issues of lying and betrayal.</p>
<p>One might ask, what does Blair even have to do with DB? Why would they even be in contact at all? Great questions! Just to put this insanity into perspective, say you are a man (traditionally speaking) &#8211; this would be like your current wife, reaching out to your ex-wife&#8217;s ex-boyfriend and having a relationship with that person, be it what it may, of course. So not only is it twisted and inappropriate, it&#8217;s also just purely f*cked up. Especially as Sov&#8217;s children try to reconcile the nonsense and their dad just sits and allows his wife to have an inappropriate relationship with the man that abused their mom. &nbsp;Oh, and Blair watches Sov&#8217;s dog on a regular basis. &nbsp;Imagine how her kids feel about that&#8230;? I can assure you that they are VERY uncomfortable and cannot make sense of it.</p>
<p>The funny, yet sad, part about this story is that DB has found another victim and she&#8217;s clueless. He has no capacity to truly care about any one, he doesn&#8217;t know how. He&#8217;s a lifelong 12-year-old who sucks the lifeblood of others to survive. His strategy in all of this is simply to have a link to Sov, not because he cares to have a relationship with Blair. By staying close to Blair, DB attempts to keep a connection and pathetic hope of control. In some ways, he still has access to Sov and can receive information on what she is doing, where she is, etc. through Blair. &nbsp;Even though Sov uprooted her entire life to get herself and her children away from that psychopath, and she even filed a police report when she left, her ex-husband is STILL allowing DB access to their children. &nbsp;After all the work Sov did to remove DB from her life, he found a way in through the weakest and most clueless people around. &nbsp;See how easily this&nbsp;happens? Sneaky shits, those narcissists. His&nbsp;only operating system is manipulation, self-interest, and endlessly searching, externally, for ways to get his needs met. Nice work, DB. &nbsp;But you know you will never be smarter or faster than Sov.</p>
<p>Best wishes, bully and betrayer. There was never a more perfect match.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1525" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Tale-of-the-Bully-and-the-Betrayer-The-Perfect-Match_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="an image of a sad black woman seated on the floor with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;The Tale of the Bully and the Betrayer The Perfect Match&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Tale-of-the-Bully-and-the-Betrayer-The-Perfect-Match_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Tale-of-the-Bully-and-the-Betrayer-The-Perfect-Match_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Tale-of-the-Bully-and-the-Betrayer-The-Perfect-Match_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Tale-of-the-Bully-and-the-Betrayer-The-Perfect-Match_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/bully-and-the-betrayer/">The Tale of the Bully and the Betrayer: The Perfect Match</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>Change Is for Other People</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/change-is-for-other-people/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1506</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Opportunities to do what you NEVER thought you could do - make those tough changes that only "other" people are strong enough to make.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/change-is-for-other-people/">Change Is for Other People</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Someone asked me recently what it is I value in a relationship. It was an interesting question for me, especially at this time, because my knee-jerk reaction was to say &#8220;just don&#8217;t freaking try to control me.&#8221;</p>
<p>But I realized that I needed to be a bit more constructive and practical in my answer. If I can&#8217;t reasonably respond to this question, what is it that I&#8217;m hoping to achieve in the future? I need to get this ironed out, as my slate is super clean right now.</p>
<p>The first thing that popped into my head was trust. This is where I&#8217;m going to steer a little bit off course from discussing my relationship values for a minute because I want to talk about me and trust.</p>
<p>If there&#8217;s one thing I can say about myself it is that I am a vault. Always have been. There is actually something in my astrological chart that speaks to me being trustworthy and giving out a vibe that allows people to feel comfortable sharing with me, very private information.</p>
<p>I remember as a kid being told some pretty wild things and feeling very empowered by keeping those words to myself. For the record, I don&#8217;t remember any information being dangerous or potentially hurtful, it was more gossipy at that point, but I never spoke of it.</p>
<p>Flash forward to today and this is very much still the case. There have been so many people that have reached out to me and shared private struggles or they literally just message me and say &#8220;thank you&#8221; and nothing else (meaning, thank you for blogging about what I cannot speak of or, for that matter, do anything about).</p>
<p>The common theme seems to be &#8220;yeah, it&#8217;s great that you&#8217;re speaking up for yourself, but that&#8217;s you. I, on the other hand, am stuck, there&#8217;s nothing I can do about my life, I&#8217;m just going to stay right where I&#8217;m at, regardless of my misery&#8221;&#8230;aka Comfortable Hell.</p>
<p>So, there&#8217;s this concept I&#8217;ve been reading about lately called &#8220;learned helplessness.&#8221; The site, <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/learned-helplessness-seligman-theory-depression-cure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">positivepsychology.com</a>, defines it as follows:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Learned helplessness is a phenomenon observed in both humans and other animals when they have been conditioned to expect pain, suffering, or discomfort without a way to escape it (Cherry, 2017). Eventually, after enough conditioning, the animal will stop trying to avoid the pain at all—even if there is an opportunity to truly escape it.&#8221;</em></p></blockquote>
<p>This concept is broken down even further to &#8220;personal&#8221; and &#8220;universal&#8221; helplessness. Basically, &#8220;universal&#8221; is when a person believes there is no hope of escape available, anywhere. &#8220;Personal&#8221; helplessness is where the individual believes other people have the means to escape, however, it is only they that do not.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1515" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman-1024x683.jpg" alt="image of a happy looking or relieved looking woman representing the article &quot;Change Is for Other People&quot; by ComfortableHell" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/happy-woman.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p>This, THIS is what I&#8217;m talking about! Somehow, we&#8217;ve convinced ourselves that escaping from Comfortable Hell belongs to other people. Hear me tell you&#8230; IT BELONGS TO YOU!</p>
<p>I was that very person who was conditioned at a very young age to be <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/house-of-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">powerless</a> and just roll with the punches because it&#8217;s futile to even speak up. That&#8217;s the only possible explanation I have for staying so long in hell &#8211; putting up with such horrendous treatment, and being fake-happy when I always had to face the music that played inside my home eventually.</p>
<p>There is no real escape from that underlying unhappiness that shows up when you lay down for bed. You WILL have to deal with it at some point, the Universe is not giving anyone a break, anymore &#8211; have you noticed that?</p>
<p>Everything is coming at us so fast, including more and more opportunities to do what you NEVER thought you could do &#8211; make those tough changes that only &#8220;other&#8221; people are strong enough to make.</p>
<p>Well, I am living proof that change for only &#8220;other people&#8221; is nonsense and I am going to help you get out of Comfortable Hell.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1514" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Change-Is-for-Other-People_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="partial image of a woman's face with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;Change Is for Other People&quot; by ComfortableHell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Change-Is-for-Other-People_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Change-Is-for-Other-People_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Change-Is-for-Other-People_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Change-Is-for-Other-People_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
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<div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div>
<div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div>
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<p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/change-is-for-other-people/">Change Is for Other People</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>Where Is Your Skinny Cow?</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/skinny-cow/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/skinny-cow/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Break Free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kabbalah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life lessons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1479</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In a hurry, the man runs to get his skinny cow and heads to the village to sell it, it's all he had.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/skinny-cow/">Where Is Your Skinny Cow?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>There’s a story that the Kabbalists’ teach about staying small. What they mean by staying small is all of those places where we settle, where we ignore red flags and sort of just function at a mediocre level because it would actually take effort (and a whole lot of certainty) to make a change.</p>
<p>This is pretty much what I mean by “Comfortable Hell.” You all know what that is, I really don’t need to elaborate.</p>
<p>Anyway, the story about staying small is called &#8220;The Skinny Cow.&#8221; I know I’m probably going to mess up some of the story, so no judgment from anyone that knows exactly how it flows. I promise the understanding behind it will still be the same.</p>
<p>It goes something like this:</p>
<p>A man and his family live a very meager existence in a small village. Their only means of income is a very skinny cow that provides just enough milk for them to sell every week in the town square. The money buys the man and his family enough food to survive and that’s it, nothing more.</p>
<p>Every week is exactly the same until one day a great sage and his students visit the village and stop by the man’s home, in hopes of finding dinner.</p>
<p>Without any hesitation, the man allows the sage and his students to come in to eat, as this is a great honor. The family hurries to prepare all of the food they have in the house and they graciously serve their guests.</p>
<p>An hour later, every ounce of food is gone and so are their guests. The family sits and stares at each other, all thinking the same thing… now what do we do?</p>
<p>They quickly gather up any items they have around their home to sell, which is barely anything. They head to the square and sell these items to buy enough food to survive the next few days.</p>
<p>Tomorrow arrives and to their surprise, the sage and his students are at the door again, asking for dinner. The family welcomes them in and quickly prepares all of the food they have. There is no way they would ever turn away such righteous souls.</p>
<p>They had to have faith and stay certain that they would somehow, some way be taken care of, not only because of their obvious generosity but also due to their going outside of their comfort zone and giving without a second thought.</p>
<p>Again, tomorrow comes and there’s a knock at the door. It’s the sage and his students and they are hungry. In a hurry, the man runs to get his skinny cow and heads to the village to sell it. It’s all he had, but he needed to feed his very righteous guests.</p>
<p>He sells the cow, uses all the money to buy food, and heads home so he and his family can, once again, serve their guests. An hour later, the family sits alone, this time, without any food or any possibility of buying any in the future.</p>
<p>Their only source of income was gone. The man finally loses it and heads out the door and runs into the woods. Once in the woods, he starts screaming “what more can I do? I trusted and gave without any thought of myself, and now what?”</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1484" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man-1024x683.jpg" alt="an image of a confused man in representation of the article &quot;Where Is Your Skinny Cow?&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/confused-man.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>
<p>Just then, he noticed a map on the floor of the forest. It was a treasure map! Without delay, he followed the directions to the “X” and to his absolute surprise, there was a chest full of millions!</p>
<p>Flash forward 10 years, the man and his family were riding on a grand carriage through the village and spotted the great sage they once served. The sage looked up at the man and smiled.</p>
<p>The learning behind this wonderful story is all about those things that we hold onto so tightly, but they keep us living in such a mediocre state. It’s almost as if we’re not even aware of it.</p>
<p>It’s kinda like someone asking you if you’re tired. You’re like “you know, I’m not even sure anymore because this is just how I feel every day. What does being energetic and happy even feel like, anyway?&#8221; Who the hell knows, we’re all <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/a-comfortable-hell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">settling for comfortable hell</a>.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, the man in this story got rid of the only thing that was holding him back from the abundance that was waiting for him all along, he just had to trust that there WAS indeed more out there.</p>
<p>For so long he was clinging to merely survival, he wasn’t thriving, but didn’t even realize how bad it was, how little he settled for. The sage provided an opportunity. The man could have turned him away and remained “safe” in his little home, scraping to get by, living every day in exactly the same way, but he didn’t.</p>
<p>He took that opportunity and changed his entire life. It was the hardest thing he ever did, but wouldn’t the absolute day-to-day agony of staying small be WAY harder? We don’t even know we’re in hell until we finally escape it.</p>
<p>I assure you the opportunities are always there and they will continue to be there, it’s up to you to finally do something different when they arrive. It’s like we have to act in a way where we barely recognize ourselves. It only hurts for a minute (rather than a lifetime) and the other side is truly heaven.</p>
<p>So where is your skinny cow?</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1490" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-Is-Your-Skinny-Cow-by-ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="black and white image of a man out in an open field, with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;Where Is Your Skinny Cow?&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-Is-Your-Skinny-Cow-by-ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-Is-Your-Skinny-Cow-by-ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-Is-Your-Skinny-Cow-by-ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Where-Is-Your-Skinny-Cow-by-ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/skinny-cow/">Where Is Your Skinny Cow?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>If No One Is Around To Receive It, Is It Still Abuse?</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/abuse/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/abuse/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 05 Nov 2022 10:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1458</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I’ve been so mad at myself over this particular situation because I had such an opportunity to stop abuse in its tracks - but I didn’t.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/abuse/">If No One Is Around To Receive It, Is It Still Abuse?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>I’ve pondered this question many times. It’s like the saying about a tree falling in the woods. I mean, someone has to be around to hear it, right? If no one is in the woods, does it even matter if it makes a sound or not?</p><p>It’s the listening that gives it meaning and power, I would think. Then we could ponder the many different perspectives on how the tree falling actually sounds. Loud, not so loud, creaking, snapping, booming, all that. But at the end of the day, it’s the individual that receives the “falling tree” communication, processes it, and gives attention to it, or not.</p><p>I believe this can be similar to abusive relationships. Now, when we were kids there was very little we could do to get ourselves out of <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/house-of-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">family situations</a>. That was pretty much our base and foundation from where we learned our behavior, where we were hard-wired, conditioned, and prepped for the upcoming world of human interactions.</p><p>But now, flash forward 10, 20, 40+ years and we still find ourselves in less than desirable encounters and relationships. We still begrudgingly agree to do things we don’t want to do. We still allow people to make condescending and or inappropriate remarks and laugh it off as if it doesn’t matter…or deeply hurt.</p><p>We still self-sacrifice and put ourselves and our needs last to make sure our environment remains “positive,” although temporarily. We still work in environments where we’re taken advantage of and held over a barrel because of the need for an income.</p><p>The question I’ve been asking myself lately is… WHY? Why not speak up? Why not ask for what we want? What are we afraid of? Why do we allow this to happen?</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1461 size-large" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman-1024x683.jpg" alt="a sad woman slump over a table with a book and cup of coffee beside her, representing the article &quot;If No One Is Around To Receive It, Is It Still Abuse&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="534" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman-768x512.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sad-woman.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>I recently had an interaction with someone who VERY inappropriately made some sort of jackass comment about me wearing lingerie for him.</p><p>Now, in my brain, the first thought was WTF just came out of his mouth? But, because of the awkwardness, my fear of confrontation, and also my resistance to making him feel really stupid, I pretended like I didn’t hear it and just kept talking about something else.</p><p>As I think back, I ask myself why I didn’t just say “ummm, what did you just say?” Also, “why would you say something like that?” It seems so incredibly simple, but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to experience such discomfort, so really what I said to this guy was “it’s ok for you to say stupid shit like this to me because I’m a punching bag of nonsense. Please, carry on.”</p><p>I’ve been so mad at myself over this particular situation because I had such an opportunity to stop abuse in its tracks, but I didn’t stick up for myself… AGAIN!</p><p>As I write this, some clarity just showed up (I love when this happens).</p><p>Take this lingerie sitch, for example. If I actually turned the tables and asked this joker why he would EVER find it appropriate to say something like that to me… he might get mad at me. He might not like me anymore. He might make my life harder. He might think I’m a bitch and tell other people that I am, too. Oh, God forbid.</p><p>I mean, so what if he’s mad or feels like an ass. So what if he thinks I’m a bitch for <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/intrusion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">setting a boundary</a>… I’m sure he’d find some other way to dislike me in the future for much less of a reason. Why does that matter so much to me?</p><p>I can do all of the positive affirmations in the world, but at the end of the day, I still want everyone to like me. If they don’t, I am worthless.</p><p>You know, I heard one of the teachers at the <a href="https://www.kabbalah.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kabbalah Centre</a> say once that if you arrive at your deathbed and everyone likes you, then you did something wrong. People who really change the world are going to have haters and most certainly have to be strong enough to take it.</p><p>If I set boundaries, stick up for myself, and help others achieve their potential and there are still people that don’t like me, guess what? I’m on the right track!</p><p>If I would just stop making myself so freaking available and open to take in and accept these abusive people, they will cease to exist. It’s not abuse if I refuse to receive it.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1462 size-large" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/If-No-One-Is-Around-To-Receive-It-Is-It-Still-Abuse_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="image of a smiling black woman with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;If No One Is Around To Receive It, Is It Still Abuse&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/If-No-One-Is-Around-To-Receive-It-Is-It-Still-Abuse_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/If-No-One-Is-Around-To-Receive-It-Is-It-Still-Abuse_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/If-No-One-Is-Around-To-Receive-It-Is-It-Still-Abuse_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/If-No-One-Is-Around-To-Receive-It-Is-It-Still-Abuse_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/abuse/">If No One Is Around To Receive It, Is It Still Abuse?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>Indifference Is Kryptonite</title>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Oct 2022 10:00:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[narcissism]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1438</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That&#8217;s why I stayed so long. You were an enemy and my soul knew it. I wanted to keep you near to me because I was more afraid of what you would do from a distance. Your insecurities and insatiable need to self-protect compelled you to hover, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/indifference-is-kryptonite/">Indifference Is Kryptonite</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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							<p>Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That&#8217;s why I stayed so long. You were an enemy and my soul knew it. I wanted to keep you near to me because I was more afraid of what you would do from a distance.</p><p>Your insecurities and insatiable need to self-protect compelled you to hover, stalk, steal, and demand, but it was I who was forced to keep you as close as I possibly could for reasons only known to me.</p><p>You see, I was way more afraid of the unknown than the known. At least the stuff that was known felt familiar and my reactions to it took little energy, they were robotic. If you could hover, stalk, steal, and make demands while we were &#8220;in love,&#8221; what would that look like if I abandoned you?</p><p>What kind of anger and revenge would awaken in the person who is, unbeknownst to you, emotionally numb? Where will you get the supply of energy that has been literally sustaining your life for years? You, the emotional vampire that’s 100% dependent on my lifeblood.</p><p>I understand that, although most likely very stressful and difficult to sustain, you enjoyed having the upper hand over me. But, how much power did I have as your lifeblood, your energy source? I had no idea.</p><p>Despite your grandiosity, deep down you hate and fear who you really are. Unfortunately, you are unable to generate your own energy or power. You are lifeless without being a virus to a host.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1441" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman-1024x700.jpg" alt="image of a long-haired woman in a black hoodie staring straight to the camera, representing the article" width="800" height="547" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman-1024x700.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman-300x205.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman-768x525.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman-1536x1050.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifferent-woman.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>You know how abnormal you are, that’s why you never feel like you’re a part of anything. You always feel left out, never belonging. Although you pretend to be a part of society, you never will be because you are unaware that any of these issues exist inside of you. Your inability to see the deep-rooted issue is the biggest hoax your ego will ever play on you.</p><p>No longer my circus. Although I have taken these last few months to write down my past <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/how-did-i-allow-this-to-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experiences with abuse</a>, it has very much come from a victim&#8217;s standpoint. That’s not me, but I had to do it because I am human.</p><p>My whole purpose in airing my dirty laundry is to, God willing, let others know that it happens to the best of us. Shit REALLY sucks, but then you find your strength, your voice, <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/support-and-kindness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">your tribe</a>, and you powerhouse the shit out of your life.</p><p>Now, I do know that even hatred gives you energy. It’s like confirmation of your power to still control me from a distance and bring me down to your level of misery.</p><p>From here on out, rather than hatred or anger, I choose indifference. You know why? Because indifference has no power, no reaction, no ability to ruin days, and thus, provides to you no lifeblood.</p><p>Thank you for being the catalyst from which I will thrive and for opening the door for the next lucky soul who will love me with love, rather than fear and logic.</p><p>Just as you discarded me when I was tired or wasn’t feeling well, I simply discard you with indifference. It’s a narcissist’s kryptonite.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1446" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifference-Is-Kryptonite_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="black and white closeup image of a woman with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;Indifference Is Kryptonite&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifference-Is-Kryptonite_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifference-Is-Kryptonite_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifference-Is-Kryptonite_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Indifference-Is-Kryptonite_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/indifference-is-kryptonite/">Indifference Is Kryptonite</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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		<title>How I Learned To Accept Intrusion As Normal</title>
		<link>https://comfortablehell.com/intrusion/</link>
					<comments>https://comfortablehell.com/intrusion/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Saxby]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 10:00:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Life story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[childhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional healing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://comfortablehell.com/?p=1406</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>If you search the word “intrusion” in the dictionary, it comes up with similar words like “trespass,” “encroachment,” and “invasion.” Those words also hit home for me.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/intrusion/">How I Learned To Accept Intrusion As Normal</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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							<p>Intrusion. Yet another fantastic, relevant word that I’ve learned over the past few months of reading and writing about abuse, as well as healing from it. This word, in particular, fits my childhood family dynamic so well.</p><p>If you search the word “intrusion” in the dictionary, it comes up with similar words like “trespass,” “encroachment,” and “invasion.” Those words also hit home for me.</p><p>I’ve mentioned before that NOTHING in my <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/house-of-cards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">childhood home</a> was mine.</p><p>If something of mine was taken, it was just gone. The most frustrating thing about me using the word “taken” is that I really mean “stolen,” however, how can a person STEAL something from you if they truly believe it belongs to them?</p><p>Two realities, one situation.</p><p>I lived with a sibling, we’ll call him “Moe” who, I believe, genuinely had zero capacity to see the difference between his possessions and mine. He was somehow conditioned over time to intrude as a natural way of life. No boundaries, and no repercussions for his actions. After all, what repercussions would you have to undergo if this is just your normal existence?</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1409 size-large" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy-1024x682.jpg" alt="young boy in the pool with part of his face above the water, looking straight into the camera" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy-768x511.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/young-boy.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>And, not only that &#8211; the person that would normally be responsible for enforcing those repercussions is the very person that is conditioning you to believe you are without boundaries.</p><p>Well, for sure, Moe had a lot of issues, I knew that. But as a child, I didn’t know how to define them, which was part of the reason for my internal rage. I knew something was very wrong in his brain, but it didn’t matter.</p><p>No one was there to hear me, to validate me, to save me. I could SEE all of the problems, the personality disorders, the absolute dysfunction, but I couldn’t explain it, nor was anyone there to listen.</p><p>Moe stole a very expensive sweatshirt from me once, a sweatshirt I paid for myself. He stole it and cut the neck out of it so it would fit him better. I screamed at him, at my mom &#8211; my sweatshirt was just gone.</p><p>Moe stole my brand-new bike once. When he brought it back it was dented, crushed, and no longer usable. I screamed again, but no one to listen &#8211; my bike was just gone.</p><p>Moe used to spit, yes spit, all over the inside of our house. There was spit everywhere &#8211; on the carpet, on tables, on the furniture. When I would be sitting in the front room watching TV he would spit on me, too. It would be on my face, my hair, my arms, my clothes.</p><p>I remember how horrible everything smelled. We just lived like this because no one told him not to. I’m sure my mom tried, but my dad wouldn’t back her up, so it continued. Sadly, if I was anywhere around Moe, I just had to endure being spit on.</p><p>Who was going to stick up for me? Regardless of how loud I screamed, no matter how I tried to put it into words, I was just told by my mom “what do you want me to do about it?”</p><p>And as for Moe, my fury and rage would humor him. My tears and anger would make him laugh. He thought everything was hysterical and that I was crazy to even be upset.</p><p>Many times, he would say to me “why do you have to be such a bitch?” If I tried to stick up for myself, I would be told that I’m a bitch. Being called something like that was worse than being spit on, in my eyes.</p><p>There was also a time when I was super young, maybe around 8 or so, and I really wanted a “fur” coat. Keep in mind it wasn’t really fur, but back in the 80s, I guess those coats were pretty cool. Nonetheless, my parents bought me one and I was SO excited.</p><p>Flash forward to a few months later and my mom decided to wash it &#8211; in the washer and dryer! Now, this might sound silly to some people, but I’m coming from a place where no one sticks up for me, I just have to take whatever situations are placed in front of me.</p><p>That coat was ruined. It looked like some kind of wool that was attacked by a vulture. When my mom showed it to me, I cried so hard. I assumed that we would either try to take it back or my mom would get me a new one. Neither of those things happened, my mom told me that I just had to wear it.</p><p>I was absolutely crushed, embarrassed, and broken. I took it upon myself to wear a spring jacket all winter and almost froze walking to school, but that was my choice. Maybe in some ways, it made me tough, I don’t know.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1410" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman-1024x667.jpg" alt="head shot of a a sad woman with her hair covering half of her face representing the article &quot;How I Learned To Accept Intrusion As Normal&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="521" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman-300x195.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman-768x500.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman-1536x1001.jpg 1536w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sad-woman.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p><p>Today, as an adult, I have relationships with people that possess Moe-like qualities:</p><ul><li>People that are truly unable to see me as separate from them.</li><li>People that believe all of my possessions are theirs and I am someone who just borrows them.</li><li>People that were conditioned to <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/i-wasnt-ready-for-healthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exist without boundaries</a> and demolish any boundary I try to establish.</li><li>People that don’t have the ability to “feel” how I really feel (empathy), but can only use logic to try to understand. They confuse logic with feeling.</li><li>People that lecture me when I try to speak about my needs or disapproval of a situation (I’m a bitch).</li></ul><p>I, like Moe, was conditioned over time. But for me, it was to expect and accept neglect when it came to anything surrounding me &#8211; my possessions, my emotions, my needs, my talents, my voice, you name it.</p><p>I am beginning to see how that plays out in current-day relationships. The lesser of two evils is just to bow down to the needs and demands of my partner, because if don’t, I will be told I am deficient, less than, not good enough.</p><p>I have been hard-wired to believe that powerlessness is the norm, speaking up is futile, and setting boundaries means you’re a bitch.</p><p>The difference is that I now have the eyes to see and the consciousness to make the changes. I will no longer accept INTRUSION as normal… BECAUSE IT’S NOT!</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1411" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-I-Learned-To-Accept-Intrusion-As-Normal_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg" alt="closeup image of a woman with her hands to the camera with text overlay of a quote from the article &quot;How I Learned To Accept Intrusion As Normal&quot; by Comfortable Hell" width="800" height="452" srcset="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-I-Learned-To-Accept-Intrusion-As-Normal_ComfortableHell-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-I-Learned-To-Accept-Intrusion-As-Normal_ComfortableHell-300x170.jpg 300w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-I-Learned-To-Accept-Intrusion-As-Normal_ComfortableHell-768x434.jpg 768w, https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/How-I-Learned-To-Accept-Intrusion-As-Normal_ComfortableHell.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></p>						</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img decoding="async" width="100" height="100" src="https://comfortablehell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Saxby-Pic-150x150.jpg" class="avatar avatar-100 photo" alt="Sarah Saxby" /></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://comfortablehell.com/author/user1/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Sarah Saxby</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Sarah Saxby is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Transformation Coach, and blogger that uses Kabbalistic Astrology, Human Design, and intuitive guidance to lead her clients to finally live with clarity, fulfillment, and internal happiness. You can also find her at <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strategies for Happiness</a> where you can <a href="https://strategiesforhappiness.com/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">schedule an Astrological Alignment Reading</a> or a free, 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss Nutrition and/or Transformational Coaching sessions.</p>
</div></div><div class="saboxplugin-web "><a href="https://comfortablehell.com" target="_self" >comfortablehell.com</a></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://comfortablehell.com/intrusion/">How I Learned To Accept Intrusion As Normal</a> appeared first on <a href="https://comfortablehell.com">Comfortable Hell</a>.</p>
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