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Painful Memories Returning with a Vengence

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Viewing 12 posts - 46 through 57 (of 57 total)
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  • #107190
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Gigi:

    Good resolution, says I!

    The first post to you today, I submitted it but it didn’t record on the list of threads, as if I didn’t post. So with the second, it did. No significance to it.

    Again, Good resolution, congratulations, and any time you need encouragement in keeping it, post right here!

    anita

    #107611
    Gigi
    Participant

    Feeling a little bit low tonight 🙁
    So basically I quit my job a few months ago thinking I would be so much happier, and that I could accomplish what I wanted quickly like getting healthier, getting my book finished, but in reality it has been kind of lonely and depressing. I usually never got much writing done at all because I was thinking about going on a walk, eating, playing with the pets, and when my boyfriend got off work we would watch TV . Well I finally decided I need money coming in as soon as possible, so I talked to the temp agency and they have me starting a job Monday. I am nervous but very relieved to be getting out of the house. Maybe I will be more motivated to write when I have some money. It also will not be physically taxing like my last job.
    My mom once again asked why I never call her, but she had to call me because some of my paperwork came to her. She proceeded to lecture me about buying my own condo and why I should, even though I live with my boyfriend. I don’t think she thinks he is successful enough. She keeps telling me I need nice things when I really don’t want them. I want to live a minimalist lifestyle and I don’t know why she can’t understand that. She doesn’t know why my boyfriend will not put money into fixing our house, and I get mad at her but then I find myself agreeing with her and questioning my boyfriend, even though it wasn’t something I originally cared about. It makes me so sad that I literally don’t know what ideas she is putting in my head, and what is really true.
    Bf and I also had another fight about his family. It was his birthday and his mom didn’t even message him, yet he always takes her out on her birthday. I just do Not comprehend this behavior of catering to people who are so oblivious, family or not. He also said something where he mixed up my siblings names and ages, and I kind of flipped. He has these moments of being absent minded with me and forgets things I said, where as he constantly brags about his sisters favorite food, her boyfriend, her grades, everything … and doesn’t say anything about me or even remember. Maybe this is an exaggeration because she is his sister. But for me with my insecurity it hurts so much. He also thinks I’m wrong for accepting my dad’s offer of money when I wasn’t working, because I mentioned I wanted to limit or cut contact. I said I did not ask, he offered, and I never ended up taking it. I feel like I’m being criticized more, or not cared about compared to everyone else when I do the most for him.
    I also mentioned I really don’t want to drink because I say things I wish I didn’t, and I stress about my health and my weight. He still opens wine every day, he makes it himself . I know I should just say no but I can’t. It’s my fault but I wish I was stronger to hold back. I’m just so upset now and feel so alone. I don’t know why I end up being so independent one day and the next I still want to lash out. I am trying so hard to keep the serious anger to myself but I don’t know what to do.

    • This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Gigi.
    #107613
    Gigi
    Participant

    Also to add, we will have different schedules now, but since I haven’t been working he has been going to bed about 3 hours before me, on work days and on days off too, and will be up 3 or more hours before me, on all days. It depresses me even though there’s not really much I can do about it …

    #107623
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Gigi:

    Why don’t you do what I did: cut contact with your mother.
    This will be eliminating Problem # 1. Can you imagine, no more of her “helpful” input?

    Next, stay out of your boyfriend’s relationships with his mother and sister, as long as his mother doesn’t move in with you (we discussed that part before).

    Next, continue with your minimalistic lifestyle, I like it. Take care of your physical health. Don’t know how to deal with the wine… will it work if you drink with him, only you will be drinking flavored water, sweetened with stevia (my favorite)?

    The fact the job Monday will be less stressful than previous work is a good thing. It being temporary is also good… it is not a life sentence kind of a job.

    Regarding writing, tell me a bit more about what you are aiming at writing..? (I hope it is about a woman cutting contact with her unbearable mother in the first chapter, the beginning…)

    anita

    #107628
    Gigi
    Participant

    Thank you Anita, I am trying not to contact her, I am getting closer. I am back and forth on what to do about my dad. I actually kind of feel bad for my mom though, she cares so much about possessions and I know they don’t make her happy.
    Agree about the mom and sister, I just hate him being taken advantage of. And he told me now I am a part of the family so I guess I have been even more inclined to snark. I really feel bad about it though. I don’t think they mean to be malicious. He thonks I want him to cut contact and I dont, actually he said they really like me. Its just very hard to get used to.
    I am trying to stop drinking , I wouldn’t say I have a huge problem but I just don’t like how common it is. I will try your idea and I got a lot of tea and sparkling waters.
    I like your book idea haha! I was actually also writing a sort of memoir about my food issues and including parts about my mom, all anonymous of course. The novel was a thriller based on narcissistic abuse but Im adding some other elements in there, I feel like my original idea would be a better movie than book. With that kind of abuse it kind of creeps up on you, so it might be too confusing to be the main plot of the book.

    #107630
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Gigi:

    We love our mothers no matter what- you do and your boyfriend does. Still wanting their approval, their love NO MATTER who they are. No matter how unloving and even cruel, we have that soft spot for them, feeling sorry for them. It is natural for a child but then when we become adults, unloved by the mother, we keep longing for it, keep trying. This is your difficulty, still reaching out to her with your love, and your love expressed in the post above is that feeling sorry for her.

    Your boyfriend will keep trying with his mother more so because she didn’t contact him on his birthday. Interesting you get angry at him for reaching out to her, while you do the same, reaching out to your mother your way.

    I am just saying, I did it. Fifty years of did-it. Brought me nothing but misery.

    The book, novel, maybe a movie, that is a huge project. Is there a writing group where you are, individuals reading samples from each other’s writings, I belonged to one but quit. It is a huge project.

    Try the sparkling non alcoholic beverage thing. At times I drank beet juice that looked just like wine. Chilled, sweetened beet juice. But you may barf at the idea. Bed time getting closer. I sure hope you feel better soon. And consider that first chapter.

    anita

    #107631
    Brie
    Participant

    The novel was a thriller based on narcissistic abuse but Im adding some other elements in there, I feel like my original idea would be a better movie than book. With that kind of abuse it kind of creeps up on you, so it might be too confusing to be the main plot of the book.

    I already smell a sequel 😀

    – – – –

    Hi, I’m Brie. Nice to meet you!

    Won’t be visiting previous posts. Let’s see if we can spark some new ideas with recent ones . . .


    @gigicat22

    I usually never got much writing done at all because I was thinking about going on a walk, eating, playing with the pets, and when my boyfriend got off work we would watch TV

    Sounds distracting. What happening inside the noodle between you writing + you going for walk/eating/playing pets/bf time?

    Maybe I will be more motivated to write when I have some money

    Sounds uncertain. Can you rely on emotions?

    – – – –

    My mom once again asked why I never call her, but she had to call me because some of my paperwork came to her. She proceeded to lecture me about buying my own condo and why I should, even though I live with my boyfriend. I don’t think she thinks he is successful enough.

    Sounds like she’s looking for things to talk about. People tendency seems to be to talk about bad things. I don’t know why. Perhaps easier to relate? Examples: gossiping. Also, doesn’t know about the good things in your life, so focuses on what she does know. Last idea, could be mom thing to be drawn to concerns of safety for children.

    I want to live a minimalist lifestyle and I don’t know why she can’t understand that

    We are all brought up differently. Check history and see how things lead to one way of thinking vs. another

    She [mom] doesn’t know why my boyfriend will not put money into fixing our house, and I get mad at her but then I find myself agreeing with her and questioning my boyfriend

    Sounds like a pattern. What are the specifics? Can you validate pattern by checking each instance?

    – – – –

    Bf and I also had another fight about his family. It was his birthday and his mom didn’t even message him, yet he always takes her out on her birthday. I just do Not comprehend this behavior of catering to people who are so oblivious, family or not.

    Keep an open mind + keep questioning things. Avoid “I don’t understand” + end of thought process.

    Bf and I also had another fight about his family. It was his birthday and his mom didn’t even message him, yet he always takes her out on her birthday. I just do Not comprehend this behavior of catering to people who are so oblivious, family or not. He also said something where he mixed up my siblings names and ages, and I kind of flipped. He has these moments of being absent minded with me and forgets things I said, where as he constantly brags about his sisters favorite food, her boyfriend, her grades, everything … and doesn’t say anything about me or even remember. Maybe this is an exaggeration because she is his sister. But for me with my insecurity it hurts so much. He also thinks I’m wrong for accepting my dad’s offer of money when I wasn’t working, because I mentioned I wanted to limit or cut contact. I said I did not ask, he offered, and I never ended up taking it. I feel like I’m being criticized more, or not cared about compared to everyone else when I do the most for him.

    Hm… Big block! Let me break it down . . .

    1)

    I just do Not comprehend this behavior of catering to people who are so oblivious, family or not.

    Avoid ending thought process here. There is tendency I have where I say “I don’t know” and things just stop.

    Ask why you don’t know + what would cause the behaviour

    2)

    He also said something where he mixed up my siblings names and ages, and I kind of flipped. He has these moments of being absent minded with me and forgets things I said, where as he constantly brags about his sisters favorite food, her boyfriend, her grades, everything … and doesn’t say anything about me or even remember. Maybe this is an exaggeration because she is his sister. But for me with my insecurity it hurts so much.

    Sounds like his way of caring = sharing with you what he finds, learns, knows, experienced

    3)

    He also thinks I’m wrong for accepting my dad’s offer of money when I wasn’t working, because I mentioned I wanted to limit or cut contact. I said I did not ask, he offered, and I never ended up taking it. I feel like I’m being criticized more, or not cared about compared to everyone else when I do the most for him.

    Criticism normally = more care because actions viewed under magnifying glass. What happens is we too bogged in detail = forget the positive side of things. I might be wrong. There could also be other unseen/unheard things, such as relationship between bf + dad. Example: you money problems = bf not able to provide = bf look bad. Have you seen these implications?

    – – – –

    I also mentioned I really don’t want to drink because I say things I wish I didn’t, and I stress about my health and my weight.

    Great! Step one to life changing habits always to eliminate the nonessential/roadblocks. Makes life easier

    He still opens wine every day, he makes it himself . I know I should just say no but I can’t. It’s my fault but I wish I was stronger to hold back. I’m just so upset now and feel so alone. I don’t know why I end up being so independent one day and the next I still want to lash out. I am trying so hard to keep the serious anger to myself but I don’t know what to do.

    Hm, sounds like dependency on others. To your mom, to your bf, to reach your own goals like writing, etc. Can I ask if you are youngest in family or have older siblings?

    #107641
    Gigi
    Participant

    Anita,
    I agree it is strange, maybe because I think of him as more together than me. But I guess that isn’t true. I think it’s the jealously that he helps her so much, remembers every detail she says, and is so willing to take care of her and I don’t always feel like I matter as much.
    I will look into a writing group too, thank you for the suggestion! And I also like beet juice 🙂

    #107642
    Gigi
    Participant

    Hi Brie nice meeting you,

    When I am doing the writing I just am thinking that everything I do is horrible. When I take a break I do get some new ideas, maybe I get confident again, then the cycle repeats. I always let my ideas sit for a day, and something the next day I hate them.
    You’re right I should be able to do it more without a job. I had a job before but didn’t do it, I blamed the fact that the job was extremely exhausting. This job will be easier but yeah emotionally it might still be difficult to write
    I hope that’s not the case.
    My mom does like gossiping, when she is not criticising me she is trying to bond with me, which makes it difficult. A lot of the stuff she says about my boyfriend, I don’t care about. That he doesn’t have a degree or he has a good job but it’s not good enough for her. I don’t know, I knew these things when I began dating him so I guess I can’t get upset. We have a decent ranch house it just hasn’t been updated. I guess it is mostly her putting the ideas in my head.
    Regarding his family, I have asked questions but he tends to not have an answer and just says this is how they are and how he interacts with them. That often leads me to just make a comment like, your mom shouldn’t act like this. The caring is good but it feels like to me it’s only about his sister, or coworkers. Then he doesn’t remember something I said several minutes ago. Petty complaint I guess. I know he wants to provide in a way but ultimately we have to have a second income. He mentioned to me that he paid everything before in a relationship and it wasn’t good.
    I know I have dependency issues, and I don’t want them to come back. My boyfriend thinks I am independent so I don’t want to get any worse than I feel. I am the oldest in my family. I have 2 younger siblings.

    #107645
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Gigi:

    Your mother criticizes you. Then she criticizes your boyfriend. Well, since she doesn’t think you are good enough, why does she think you should have a boyfriend that is good enough. This is not logically congruent. Also, by criticizing your boyfriend in itself she is criticizing you for choosing him.

    When she doesn’t criticize you, she tries to bond with you. This is also not logically congruent. You can’t do both as a pattern: criticize, take a break and try to bond, criticize and try to bond.

    Your mother is a bad influence on you presently. End contact with her, at least for a set amount of time, as an experiment, let’s say a month, and see how that goes. If you do, I will celebrate the experiment with you drinking beet juice on my end, here.

    anita

    #111014
    Gigi
    Participant

    Anita, or anyone listening,
    I really feel down tonight. I feel like now I am on the other side of parenting and it hurts, and I am actually feeling sympathy for my own parents. Long story short, my boyfriend has 2 very young step sisters, that are 9 and 10 years old. They are related to the step dad that we have mixed feelings about. Whenever my boyfriend and i are around them, they usually act like angels. They have had some rough times in their life when they were younger but we’re always happy to see us, loved our food, and loved playing games with us. Often they only looked forward to seeing us and I felt bad that maybe they were not being treated well enough still and that I could do better. I got it arranged so that they could spend the weekend with us and I was so excited. I bought them craft kits and cooked dinner and we have plans to go out for lunch and italian ice tomorrow. Then all of a sudden today, they both brought the attitudes out full force during dinner. They complained non stop about how horrible the food was. It was pasta, bread and salad, so seriously?! Then egged us on to make dessert, then threw a fit about pouring dressing on their pasta because they didn’t like it. My boyfriend and I decided that it was enough and sent them to bed. But I am just devestated. I knew they had behavioral problems but never around us. I know they’re kids but I really did not expect that reaction to basic food for crying out loud. I am ready to take them home first thing in the morning. My boyfriend and I just had a long wine fueled but coherent discussion that we are done with them and we also do not want kids. I just don’t know what to feel. I know I was a brat as well but never in a family members home. Do I feel sympathy for my parents now? Do I feel sorry for the kids or just write them off? I don’t know what to do. I was able to refrain from raising my voice and we told them to finish their plates and go to bed. I honestly thought this sort of thing could not happen 🙁

    #111026
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Gigi:

    You didn’t raise these kids. You are not and have not been their mother so how they behaved with you has nothing to do with your relationship with your mother. And these kids behaved wrong and hurt your feelings, no doubt. You and your boyfriend should have a talk with them, specify to them which of the behaviors they exhibited are unacceptable and tell them they are not welcome unless these behaviors change. Specify what behaviors are acceptable to the two of you.

    Maybe they don’t know, maybe they weren’t shown. Maybe they are mistreated. I assure you they were born all good and loving.

    anita

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