Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
This is why I don't go to family functions. I felt very unsupported when I lost my husband in 2020. And my grandmother's 9 living children and hosts of grandchildren turned against me when I was managing my grandma's end of life care as her Power of Attorney. I was the administrator of the grandfather and grandmother's estates (an extremely thankless job that took over two years of my life!) When my aunts and uncles started dying, my family started reaching out asking me to help (No thank you!!! When i lost my husband, 13 year career, house and mother in less than 2 years, where were they?) I have no more giving capacity...
Anyways, I went to a family function about two hours away from my home yesterday. My 42 year old cousin is processing through a divorce (his daughter is in highschool). He is also a baby daddy to an 20something autistic son. His career never completely launched the way he hoped; he claims to have a bad back; and says the world is too racist against him. HE IS ALSO SAYING I TRAUMATIZED HIM WHEN I BABYSAT because I would tell him "the Skippy Peanut Butter Man lived in the basement." I was a 13 year old babysitter and he was a misbehaving 6 year old boy. 30 years later he is trying to blame his failed life on a handful (I don't recall babysitting more than 5 times) of times I babysat with him. Everyone has ups and downs in life. I refuse to take on his drama! Still keeping my distance from toxic people.......even if they are family!!!
-
Tomorrow is National Massachusetts Day!Have you ever lived in or visited Massachusetts? If so, tell us what's great about the Bay State!
-
Have you ever read a book that made you want to travel somewhere? (And if so, did you ever actually travel there?)
It helped me to learn more about being the object of someone's blame. Now I recognize this blame game stuff and don't absorb it like I used to.
I always think how this is a person who is really quite unhappy in life and I can't help them nor did I cause it.
I had to sit next to the alcoholic brother of my husband at the step-son's wedding. First he tried bragging about his new girlfriend (guy is early 60's). It was so sad. No woman, normal healthy minded woman, will date him for very long. Mostly he attracts other alcoholic women and it flounders. This guy is so angry and he estranged from us when he could not control the family after the parents died. I am polite and pleasant. Thank goodness at that wedding the music was so loud we couldn't have a conversation nor were husband and I drinking. I learned that - never drink around alcoholics so I have my full facility of thinking and not engaging these people. Polite and pleasant doesn't mean we take abuse. It is a different form of gray rocking someone difficult or ugly mouthed.
You should have told him 'I don't know what you mean the Skippy peanut butter man still lives down the basement'
Sigh...He likes to blame everyone else for his failures
The type I refer to as a pill
I think of my closest friends as family
I'm sorry that you had a lousy time
Having boundaries is wise IMHO
Big hug...xo