Hi, I'm Rita Marie.
I Survived. I Thrived.
I'm a survivor, a creator, and a relentless believer in the human capacity to heal. I built Rita Blakenship because I needed a space like this — and it didn't exist.
From Surviving to Thriving
I spent years in a relationship that slowly, methodically dismantled who I was. It didn't happen overnight — it never does. It started with small moments of doubt, tiny erosions of confidence, and a growing sense that I was always the problem.
"By the time I realized I was in a narcissistic relationship, I had lost my friends, my confidence, and my sense of self. I didn't even recognize the woman in the mirror."
The turning point came when I stumbled across the term "narcissistic abuse" at 2am, unable to sleep, searching the internet for answers to questions I didn't even know how to ask. Reading those words — seeing my experience described so precisely — was both devastating and liberating.
Today, I run Rita Blakenship as a platform for everything I wish I'd had during my recovery. Honest resources. Practical tools. A community that doesn't minimize your experience or rush your healing.
From There to Here
The Beginning
Walking on Eggshells
For years, I lived in a relationship where I constantly questioned my own reality. I didn't have a name for it yet — I just knew something was deeply wrong.
The Breaking Point
Finding the Words
The day I discovered the term 'narcissistic abuse' was the day my healing began. Suddenly, everything made sense. I wasn't crazy. I wasn't too sensitive. I was being manipulated.
The Escape
Building My Exit Plan
Leaving wasn't a single moment — it was a carefully planned process. I documented everything, built my support network quietly, and took it one day at a time.
The Rebuild
Reclaiming Myself
On the other side, I discovered who I actually was — separate from the person I'd been shaped into. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Today
Sharing the Path
Now I use everything I learned to help others. Rita Blakenship is my way of turning pain into purpose — and making sure no one has to figure this out alone.
The Values Behind This Brand
Radical Honesty
No fluff, no toxic positivity. Just real talk from someone who has been through it.
Lived Experience
Everything shared here comes from personal experience — not theory, not textbooks.
Practical Tools
Healing is important, but so is building a life you love. I share tools that actually work.
Whole-Body Wellness
Mental, emotional, and physical health are all connected. We address all three here.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you're in the middle of it, just got out, or years into healing — there's something here for you.