25/06/2026
Many women aren’t just navigating the end of their marriage, but they are also having they eyes opened to their first experience of post-separation abuse. In some cases this is simply an extension of the type of behaviour you experienced in the marriage (the type that you blamed yourself for, the type that kept you stuck), in other cases you are observing a completely different person. A monster, so different to the person you married that you no longer know what’s true and what’s not.
One classic sign of post-separation abuse is a smear campaign. This is when someone will go out of their way to begin to share mistruths, misrepresentations, narratives without context, in the hope this will discredit you and leave you isolated and judged. It can feel unbelievably painful that someone you once trusted with your life would do this to you, but here’s what I want you to know ⬇️
✨ Only someone who is unhappy and in pain themselves would need to tear you down. It makes them feel better
✨ This has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with them. Do not justify, do not explain, do not engage with these campaigns. Rise above them and carry on with the journey you are ok. Truth always prevails
✨ Log this behaviour somewhere private - on your phone, or note it down. The dates, the general narrative, log any comms (texts, screenshots, emails) and save them. If this continues, it’s time to raise it with your local domestic abuse service, or the police. Not because action will be taken straight away, but because behaviour like this is often part of a pattern that is likely to escalate. Logging this behaviour now will help you in the future.
🌱 Re-stabilising yourself during a smear campaign is hard, but remember this; You do not need to fire bullets to make yourself heard - allow time to do that work for you. Instead, focus on your nervous system, your mental health and your village. And, if you need extra support, join The Separation Circle - my free community for women navigating separation & divorce. Comment ME below to be sent the link ✨