How do I talk about my life to my partner?

Hello everyone! I'm truly grateful to be part of the THT community. The podcast has been a beacon of hope for me during an incredibly tough period. I have a quick question—I hope it's okay to ask, and if not, I understand and will delete it.

I've been through a lot. After a 12-year relationship, I fell into the trap of the “sunk cost fallacy” and stayed longer than I should have. While I can't erase those years, I can't overlook the constant fights and the emotional abuse inflicted by a narcissist who weaponized incompetence against me. We had a painful breakup last year. I left him and had to start over at 28, having sacrificed my apartment, my cats, and my dog because he used them as leverage.

Since then, I've found the most wonderful partner—kind, sweet, patient—someone who truly understands my past and has helped me heal. He’s shown me what genuine love and care look like.

Talking about my ex is difficult because he's been a part of my life from age 17 to 28, woven into many of my experiences. I tend to exclude him from my stories out of survival instinct, and I wonder if that's healthy. My partner has never asked me to do this, but it still weighs on me.

I've taken significant steps toward healing—therapy, trauma recovery, medication for anxiety and depression—and I feel stronger than before. I want to protect myself and my loving partner from any hurt. So, what do you think I should do to navigate this?

Thank you all for your support and all that you share.