Childhood What Happens When People Erase You?

[deno]

I never knew people could be erased. Not just ignored or misunderstood—but completely rewritten. I’ve lived it. My reputation, my story, my relationships—turned into something that isn’t me. And the hardest part? People believe it.

This wasn’t by accident. It was conscious. Mobbing, scapegoating, career sabotage, exclusion—it was all intentional. And it worked. The version of me that was left behind is a lie, but it’s the one people chose to believe. No matter how much I did right, it took almost nothing for them to turn their backs. That’s something I’ve had to accept.

But here’s what I know now: They didn’t erase me. They only erased their version of me. I am still here. I still know who I am. I still have a future they will never control.

I used to think I had to prove the truth. That if I could just explain, people would see what really happened. But I’ve realized there’s no point proving anything to people who were willing to discard me so easily. Instead, I choose to live my life, on my terms, without them. I’m not running away—I’m running toward something better.

I also know I’m not the only one. Have you ever felt like your life was rewritten by others? How did you deal with it?

 

[amicableDog6980]

Still working on it. I was scapegoated and gaslighted so much that it's hard to trust my senses, memories, and my ability to make decisions. I guess lately I've been going for an I can trust myself so just do it attitude, instead of getting scared and over thinking it.

"I used to think I had to prove the truth. That if I could just explain, people would see what really happened. But I’ve realized there’s no point proving anything to people who were willing to discard me so easily. "
I like that ^ I tried to discuss stuff with my family (it took me years to get to that point), and when they were unwilling to acknowledge the wrong they had done, I cut all contact with them. A few years later my family was able to admit wrongs and we reconciled, so now I try to stay in the present and build a new relationship with them from here but inevitably old habits and ways of thinking come up. Writing over the abusive lies that my life was rewritten as is difficult.

 

[deno]

This really hit home for me. I’ve spent so much time second-guessing myself, wondering if I was the problem or if I remembered it right. That 'I can trust myself, so just do it' mindset? I’m learning that too. And the part about trying to prove the truth—yes. It took me a long time to realize that people who needed me to prove it never actually cared about the truth. Letting go of that changed everything. I'm glad you found space for reconnection—just know that rewriting the old story takes time. You're not alone in that struggle.