RaeAnna Mercado
Bio
I am a 27 year old mother, wife, and student. I love to write. Sharing my stories and experiences to bring awareness and show support for mental illness and domestic violence. I also do some food writing for fun.
Stories (11/0)
Unexpected Friendship Final Chapter
So yes, I went back. After all of that I went back. I was afraid of what life might be like if I left, afraid of what he might do. I stayed for another year and half. I went through more abuse, physical and emotional. The fights would get to the point of no return each time ending in me in tears and trying to leave but he would block my way out. I contemplated jumping off our three-story patio on more than one occasion just to escape him.
By RaeAnna Mercado4 years ago in Viva
Don't Be a Girl
There's a quote I have seen online, I think it was said to be Betty White. Something along the lines of don't tell someone to not be a pussy if you're trying to insult them, call them a testicle, one kick and that thing is done for. Those things can take a beating. If you think about it, women are pretty damn strong. There is no doubt that we are more mentally and emotionally strong than men, when it comes to physical strength, no doubt the majority of men would be stronger but that is due to anatomy and not "not having the balls (no literally)" or "being a pussy."
By RaeAnna Mercado4 years ago in Viva
I'm Sorry
Learn to accept an apology you will never receive. That is what some people tell you in order to help you feel better about your demons. What they don't always understand is that sometimes those demons are so strong and you fight with them everyday. You take that pain out on the people who love you the most and that are the closest to you. So here is what I did. I wrote a letter to myself. In this letter is all the apologies I deserve. All the apologies I need to hear but I never will, and that is okay. I will never forget and in time I think I can forgive. Here it goes.
By RaeAnna Mercado4 years ago in Humans
Unexpected Friendship Part 3
I left off going on about the first of many times my trust was destroyed completely. Thinking back on it now, maybe this was just another one of his games. My intuition was never wrong. Something in my gut would just tell me something was off and I was always right. Yet, I still stuck around, believing all his lies. Two months after married-with-three-kids-and-a-fourth-on-the-way was inappropriately talking to _____, on his birthday, I found more text messages between him and another married woman, him asking her to sneak out, and her saying she said a special "gift" just for him. Once again my heart dropped, my blood boiled, and I again confronted him. This began a vicious cycle that soon turned violent.
By RaeAnna Mercado4 years ago in Viva
Unexpected Friendship: Part One
I used to be in an abusive relationship. All the text book red flags and warning signs were present, however, I was being played by a narcissistic sociopath, and man, those people are good at what they do! ( I am in no way trying to down play the severity of this situation, I am just finally at a point in my life where I can use humor and sarcasm when I tell this horrendous story).
By RaeAnna Mercado5 years ago in Psyche
Guys We F*cked
I am an avid Podcast listener. My obsession began this past summer, when I was looking for a healthy distraction from a lot of chaos in my life. I am fortunate to work at a job where I am not micromanaged, I work at my own pace, and I have the freedom to put in my Air Pods and listen to Podcasts all day long. I love it and I recommend Podcasts to anyone who needs a good distraction. Honestly, they have helped me overcome my depression and anxiety and feel less lonely during a period of time in my life that proved to be extremely difficult. I discovered the Guys we F*cked Podcast about two months ago, and I have been binge listening ever since. If you haven't heard of this amazing Podcast or if you have and are unsure of what the hell you just stumbled upon, allow me to introduce you.
By RaeAnna Mercado5 years ago in Viva
The Benefits of Social Media—as Told by a Professional Food Blogger
One of the most important parts of running a business is to also have a successful marketing team. Giant corporations and small business alike use marketing tools such as television commercials, billboards, and radio to spread the word about their product or service and to gain business. With the rise of technology and social media, these same businesses have taken to the internet to reach even more consumers. So, one might wonder how individuals such as writers are able to market themselves to gain readers, sell books, and stand out from the crowd. The answer is social media.
By RaeAnna Mercado5 years ago in Journal
It Is Not Your Duty to Be the Perfect Survivor
1. It is NEVER your fault. Sexual violence is a REAL issue. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or religious preference. It is very easy to blame yourself as well as for others to blame you. The truth is, it is never your fault, plain & simple. It does not matter if you were drunk. It does not matter what you were wearing. It does not matter if you were walking in a dark alley late at night by yourself. The person who commits this horrendous act is solely to blame for their actions, not you. So forget what people may say, forget what society pushes upon you, and forget what the media shoves down your throat. The more people that can stand up against shaming the survivors, the more we can work together to end this epidemic.
By RaeAnna Mercado5 years ago in Viva
What It Is Like Living with High Functioning Anxiety
Some of you may wonder what it feels like to have high functioning anxiety; others may know someone who deal with anxiety and wonder what it is like for them. I am sure everyone is different, but I will try and explain what it is like for me. So pretty much all my life I have been described as shy. I am not the first person to usually strike up a conversation; I keep to myself often in social interactions. I observe everyone and everything around me, and it depends on when I feel comfortable when you will see me come out of my shell. Deep on the inside is this quirky, goofy person with a huge heart. Sometimes the outside doesn’t see this and judges me. And other times they do see this and use it to their advantage. To say that people mistake my kindness for weakness would be an understatement.
By RaeAnna Mercado5 years ago in Psyche
