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.
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.
