Don’t Poke the Bear, A Memoir About Recovering from Abuse by a Narcissist by Maria Schmeig
Maria Schmeig’s harrowing tale begins with “This nightmare ends today,” and for anyone who has experienced the torment of emotional abuse, her story offers hope and healing.
At age 29, Maria believed she had discovered her soul mate, and a whirlwind romance led to marriage. However, the blissful façade soon crumbled, revealing a narcissistic husband who unleashed an onslaught of mistreatment upon her. For a staggering twenty-eight years, Maria endured this emotional anguish, but her unwavering resilience ultimately set her free.
In Don’t Poke the Bear, Maria candidly recounts her tumultuous marriage to a narcissist. She details the challenges of raising three children in an environment fraught with the need to tread cautiously, never certain when the next rage would ensue. She sheds light on the manipulation and gaslighting she endured from her spouse and reflects on her coping mechanisms. Her perpetual bewilderment at her spouse’s violent outbursts was a constant companion until she recognized the narcissistic pattern. This memoir chronicles her journey from the initial love-bombing to the heart-wrenching ultimate discard. It describes the exhilaration of early romance, the long, dark years of abuse and finally the protracted, bitterly contentious divorce, a grueling process exacerbated by her spouse’s unyielding intransigence, which stretched over two excruciating years.
Throughout her ordeal, Maria found solace in her supportive family, particularly her three now-adult children, and her unwavering faith. Don’t Poke the Bear is not just Maria’s story; it echoes the experiences of countless other victims. It stands as a testament to the resilience required during life’s darkest hours and the unwavering courage it takes to break free from the chains of abuse.
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Author Bio:
Maria Schmeig is an attorney, mother of three grown children and author of Don’t Poke the Bear, A Memoir About Recovering from Abuse by a Narcissist.
She was married for twenty-eight years to a seemingly covert narcissist and tried everything she could think of to make him happy and keep the peace. Nothing ever seemed to work. While navigating her career and raising her three amazing children, she never revealed to anyone what her home life was really like. She and her children endured years of walking on eggshells and rages that came out of nowhere with little to no provocation.
Other than her children, the best gift her ex gave her – although it didn’t seem like it at the time -was when he discarded her. Because he put on a great show to the outside world, everyone was shocked when they heard the truth. It took Maria years to recover but she is happy to say she is mostly healed now. She recently retired from the practice of law. When she is not blogging about narcissism or in her garden, she spends her time with her two new grandchildren. She especially loves their giggles.
She hopes her story can help you to see your relationship in the light of day and have the courage to get out. The peace on the other side is well worth the stress and difficulties of getting out.