Dear Nikkole:

Regarding your father’s self awareness, that “he  gets upset at the  smallest  things”- this is something he must  have  been aware  of for the longest  time, decades, probably. And he  probably  shared  it  with others, it  is the first time that he shared  it  with you, that  is all. And so,  I  don’t  believe it is true that he acquired new awareness (“my dad has acquired a little more awareness of himself”).

You shared with him and that encouraged him to share  something  about himself.

Regarding your professional and financial considerations, the limited options and how  it drains your energy: this is the  reality of adult professional life almost always: limited options. People find themselves trapped in limited options. And trapped, people feel distressed; distressed we get easily  and quickly  tired, exhausted and frustrated  beyond words!

And then, tired and exhausted and frustrated we don’t do our best  thinking, so we remain in the trap. The key is to relax before you think, so  accept your reality as it  is right now, don’t resist it, don’t  fight against it  with  your thoughts and  emotions. Figure: this  is  my life, so be it.

After this kind  of acceptance, you can relax. Once  relax, you can think better, see outside the box/ the trap, make a plan and realize there is no magical solution, but a thoughtful, executed  plan, an adjustable  plan (to be re-evaluated), requiring lots  of patience and persistence.

anita