My Experience with Wanting to Run Away from Stress and Abuse

As a victim of verbal abuse for many years, I am no stranger to feeling like running away. This stress response will typically appear after I've hit the point of burnout and feeling that the only way to escape unfavorable circumstances is to leave physically. As a teenager, multiple times, I left my home and sought refuge with a friend, only to return again and face the consequences of my actions. Unfortunately, this pattern followed me into my adult life. 

Running Away from Stress

When I was younger, I couldn't recognize what my underlying feelings about running away really meant. I felt that if I left, my situation would improve because I would no longer be in the same circumstances. I would dream about moving to a different city where no one knew me and starting a new life. I would be happy with lots of friends, and no one would know how broken I really was inside. 

As I grew up, this urge to run remained with me. Whenever I faced stress at work, with relationships, or elsewhere, I would try to get up and leave. Although removing myself from a negative situation was helpful so I could regroup and process my feelings, I would not follow through with rectifying the problem. I was constantly running away from stress. 

How I Run Away Today 

I'm not sure I will ever be free from the urge to run. However, knowing my breaking point and what can cause these overwhelming feelings of running away help minimize these emotions. I am an avid believer in taking some time to be alone. I will go camping by myself for a few days and enjoy the solitude of only worrying about myself and taking care of myself. 

I use this time to reflect on aspects of my life that cause me stress and how I can make changes to minimize my anxiety. And when I cannot get away for some time by myself, I try to spend some time alone in my room, reading or meditating to help clear my mind and regulate my emotions. 

If you feel like running away, you can rest easy knowing that it is a completely normal stress response. Thankfully, there are ways to combat these emotions to provide relief and resolution for your life. From seeking professional therapy to taking time to reflect and reorganize your thoughts, even a small amount of time can be beneficial. 

Although this feeling still appears for me in times of stress, it is far less frequent than before. And hopefully, the urge to run away will slowly diminish over time.