Dating after being in an abusive relationship is hard, to put it simply. Small, unexpected things are a trigger. Abusive relationships, as I’ve come to realise, have a lasting effect on your mental health. Three of the four relationships I have been in have had some form of abuse; physical, verbal, emotional. Even when I’ve made every effort to move on from those relationships, cutting off my abusers completely, I still have my demons to vanquish.