Cinderella aired on ABC Family this last weekend. I’m a sucker for a Disney marathon. Since I tend to look at Cinderella as a study in how and why people get stuck in abusive relationships, I decided to live tweet it under the #WhyIStayed hashtag in the title character’s voice. This post is a record of those tweets.
The chateau I grew up in fell into disrepair and I was the only one taking care of it #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
What if I couldn't take my pets with me? The stupid cat would've eaten Jaques and Gus. And who would've fed Bruno? #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
I was taught to find the good in my circumstances, so I overlooked the bad. #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
My stepmother made sure I didn't have time or energy to plan an escape #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
They let me believe that, if I could only play by the rules, the abuse would stop. #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
They made sure I had no time for my own needs, so I forgot I had any #Cinderella #WhyIStayed #CinderellyCinderelly
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
They shamed me for staying even though they were keeping me from leaving #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
When I did try to leave, they sabotaged me and acted like it was my fault #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
Their efforts to actively break my will succeeded #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
Someone still believed in me after I couldn't believe in myself anymore #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
She didn't shame me for staying; she just used her power to help me leave #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
"Tonight for a change, you'll handle the reins, and sit in the driver's seat, too" #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
I knew the spell couldn't last forever #Cinderella #WhyIWentBack #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
I realized I was wanted, valued, and loved #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
My escape attempt was sabotaged just like the last one #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
When I was finally ready to leave for good, my friends were there to help me #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
They literally told other people I was out of my mind #Cinderella #WhyIStayed
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
Someone in power believed me over my abusers. I could finally leave for good. #Cinderella #WhyILeft #WhyIStayed #happilyeverafter
— Amethyst Marie (@AmethystMarieTM) September 13, 2014
Amethyst Marie 
Love it! The movies always present Cinderella as largely undamaged by her years of abuse. I like the movie “The Glass Slipper” (1955). This cinderella is socially awkward, dirty, depressed, and feels worthless. She only goes to the ball because the son of the cook invites her to the kitchens with him. But, the son of the cook, is actually the prince…
I want to write my own Cinderella story where she has to overcome years of abuse to learn to love again and slowly rebuild her self-worth.
I would read that!