Starting the process of leaving my abusive husband.. scared but moving forward

My husband doesn’t know yet but I’ve retained a lawyer and started quietly packing things. A family member is gifting me a car, which is going to make a world of difference in gaining independence.

My husband has struggled with addiction and alcoholism for years, and there has also been abuse. I’ve stayed longer than I should have, hoping things would change but they haven’t. At this point, I know leaving is the only way to protect myself and, most importantly, my children.

The plan is to move out the same day he is served with the divorce papers, so that I can create distance and keep things as safe as possible.

I won’t lie, i’m scared. I don’t know exactly what the future will look like, and it feels overwhelming at times. But deep down, I know this is the right decision for us. They deserve a safe, stable, and loving home, and I’m determined to give them that.

Right now I’m taking it one step at a time, reminding myself that progress is progress, even if it feels small.

Has anyone else been in this stage of leaving…where you’ve set things in motion but haven’t told your partner yet? How did you get through the waiting and the fear?