Done being nice

Monkish1

Well-known member
Maybe this belongs in an Alanon forum, but I like the people here.

I'm an adult woman, financially independent, and socially adequate, though I've struggled to overcome shyness, anxiety, depression, and such. I've noticed a trend in my life which disturbs me, and my usual response is to run away. In this manner, I have intentionally lost touch with many toxic relatives.

I live near my immediate family because I value them, and want to be a support to them. I see several of them daily, if only briefly, to talk and help with whatever. Unfortunately, when my stepfather becomes inebriated, he tracks me and my other adult sibling down, harasses and disrespects us, and often makes physical threats. It is absurd.

I have lost ALL love and respect for this man. He is a bully on a power trip, like my father before him, and enabled by alcohol. We are not defended by our mother. I now see what kind of woman she has been my whole life. I also see that she has raised her children to be equally passive in the face of aggression. It is disappointing.

I now avoid going inside my parent's house and opt out of holidays. I've become the bad guy because I can't fake nice anymore.

Bring it on. I am going to protect myself from emotional and physical abuse. The funny thing is that it feels great, even if I have no family left when all is said and done.

Guess I just needed to vent, pathetic as it sounds. Bullies need not be tolerated. At home where people have more liberty to drink, threaten, and act like fools, it's especially important, because we all need one safe place to escape to. It doesn't matter how old they are or what perceived power they hold. It's never too late to end the cycle.
 

slimjim119

Well-known member
I'm sorry you have family like that. Alcohol can make some people really angry and mean. I've seen it myself. I think you are doing the right thing. Don't put yourself in a situation to be around this person. Why be miserable. Maybe your mother will wise up and leave him. But it doesn't sound like it.

It doesn't pay to be nice sometimes. Those of us with SA should have a tougher skin. Home should always be a place where you feel safe. It's one of my safety zones.
 

DanielLewis

Well-known member
That's okay. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. Instead of cutting your family out of your life immediately with no explanation, however, maybe you should communicate your feelings to them.
 

Xervello

Well-known member
Maybe this belongs in an Alanon forum, but I like the people here.

I'm an adult woman, financially independent, and socially adequate, though I've struggled to overcome shyness, anxiety, depression, and such. I've noticed a trend in my life which disturbs me, and my usual response is to run away. In this manner, I have intentionally lost touch with many toxic relatives.

I live near my immediate family because I value them, and want to be a support to them. I see several of them daily, if only briefly, to talk and help with whatever. Unfortunately, when my stepfather becomes inebriated, he tracks me and my other adult sibling down, harasses and disrespects us, and often makes physical threats. It is absurd.

I have lost ALL love and respect for this man. He is a bully on a power trip, like my father before him, and enabled by alcohol. We are not defended by our mother. I now see what kind of woman she has been my whole life. I also see that she has raised her children to be equally passive in the face of aggression. It is disappointing.

I now avoid going inside my parent's house and opt out of holidays. I've become the bad guy because I can't fake nice anymore.

Bring it on. I am going to protect myself from emotional and physical abuse. The funny thing is that it feels great, even if I have no family left when all is said and done.

Guess I just needed to vent, pathetic as it sounds. Bullies need not be tolerated. At home where people have more liberty to drink, threaten, and act like fools, it's especially important, because we all need one safe place to escape to. It doesn't matter how old they are or what perceived power they hold. It's never too late to end the cycle.


Good for you! :thumbup:

Though I feel bad for any of the children/your siblings who've had or still have to endure that. And maybe even for your mother a little bit, too. Though I don't know the specifics so I could be entirely wrong. I've just known others in situations similar with abusive spouses. Some people just can't deal with confrontation no matter what the circumstance. Though I guess there's a difference when it's one's own children being attacked and a person still does nothing. I know that it took several years before I was able to muster up the wherewithal to speak up against a bullying type of personality.

You sound like an intelligent, successful person. Probably all by your own doing. So kudos to you! :)
 
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