Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda  

08/03/24 

I shoulda been more vulnerable and less spiky. 

I woulda done that if it felt safe. 

I coulda been more honest about that lack of safety rather than lashing out, criticising, belittling and nagging. 

He shoulda talked to me and allowed space for me to come in. 

He woulda done that if he’d felt safe. 

He coulda been more honest about that lack of safety rather than lashing out through ‘jokes’ that humiliated me, withdrawal of affection and dismissiveness. 

At the start we each hoped the other would build our confidence and self-worth, instead we tore each other down. 

We are each the product of our past. 

I want to change my outcome. 

This hurts far too much to stay in it.

JP