Valerie Bertinelli shared with fans that she’s well on her way to healing from past traumas after putting on a pair of pants triggered memories of being “mercilessly mocked” by a former partner.
The actor and Food Network star opened up about her experience in a TikTok video.
“I’m giggling because I had a small hidden bruise that was activated today. You can probably hear them because my pants are rubbing together and it makes this particular sound,” she said.
While she was able to laugh about her choice of clothing now, she wasn’t always able.
“I stopped wearing them because I was…mercilessly mocked, you know, ‘I’m too lazy to do anything about it. They wouldn’t rub together if you…’” she trailed off.
She explained how “hidden bruises” are what “emotional, verbal, mental abuse do to you.”
“People can’t see [them] but we got to deal with [them] everyday when they’re activated,” she said. “I’m so grateful the work that I’m doing on healing, is working.”
Bertinelli admitted she was hesitant to share such a post in fear that some may tell her to move on, but to those who had anything negative to say she had a message: “This is called moving on. This is called healing. And to all of you that can identify with this and feel seen, welcome. I’m just another part of your tribe.”
The Hot in Cleveland star didn’t mention a specific former partner, however her comments come days after she reflected on healing after her divorce.
“It’s so painful, but there’s a release that happens that’s really helpful,” she shared on Instagram. “I believe that a lot of emotional pain is stored in the body, and I’m doing my best to heal from it in every way — my therapy, my journaling, my meditation, rolfing.”
Bertinelli filed for divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale in May 2022, six months after filing for legal separation. In November 2022, she shared that she was celebrating the “second best day of my life,” the day she officially became divorced from Vitale.
“I am over it. I’m over the narcissist. I’m long over the narcissist.”
It can be so difficult to get out of an abusive relationship. I applaud Valerie for taking the steps to leave and begin her journey of healing. It’s not easy.