family relationships are complicated.
There can be a lot of love there…
And a lot of triggers.
Our parents, siblings, and extended family members may not understand the life you have chosen for yourself.
Maybe you re-crafted your religious upbringing or chose a partner or lifestyle they don’t understand.
Perhaps you dress or eat differently than they do.
You know you are doing what is right for you- but it so HARD to connect with them now.
You may coach yourself before family interactions
“THIS time I am just not going to let them get under my skin”.
But before you know it, you find yourself overwhelmed and frustrated, flooded with feelings of being criticized, rejected, and flat out angry.
“They are just so…
(you get to fill in the blank here).”
Yet, you are torn. You WANT a good relationship (or at least a tolerable one) with your family, but it seems so difficult. Maybe you need their help- or maybe they need yours- so you feel stuck and strangely- it somehow feels like it is all your responsibility to make it work.
How is it that they can push your buttons better than anyone else?