@Annie That sounds pretty tough. 😬 But if I had to guess, you’re tough enough to meet the challenge. 👊 Hoping for the best!
@Annie That’s terrible to read. Stay strong, Annie. Being open sure feels dangerous, but should also keep you less burdened. Hope things get better soon 🙏
@Annie I don’t envy you that situation, and sadly I can offer no advice, but wishing you all the strength you need. ❤️🩹
@Annie I have had some recent experience where someone very close, a family member, had a blowout with lots of fallout. For me at times it seemed surreal, my little potato head trying to craft some sort of sense to it when perhaps there was none to be found, or none that I could understand.
You sound like you’re your own best friend here, considering where you land. “…one tiny step at a time.” Although it is famously easier said than done, it is just step, step, step, etc.
[ edit: proper quote ]
@Annie Oh no, I’m sorry to hear your ex is being irresponsible, and it sounds maddening that reaction from your ex-in-laws 🙄 Wishing you all the best as you deal with this. One step at a time, as you say.
@Annie I am very sensitive at the moment when I read something like this. When it’s about a once perfect world that seems to be on fire. When it’s about trust that has been broken. And perhaps much more. And I am discovering all these things everywhere at the moment. Either because I’m looking for it more, because it strikes me better, or because my life also has also become extremely difficult at the moment.
All I can say is that things are looking up again. Life goes in waves and I think you are somewhere down in the valley right now. But it goes up again and the next peak will come. The important thing is that you stay strong until then. And if you can’t be strong, feel free to seek help. Friends are always there for that. You can’t always be strong. But what I want to say is: things will get better again, for sure.
Trust is a difficult thing. Are there different levels of trust? Yes, maybe. And some breaches of trust are extreme. Rebuilding it then seems impossible. It is important to know that not everyone breaks trust. Not everyone is the same. Not everyone is in the same drawer. Life is change, life is spontaneous, life is a little trial & error. A constant struggle that is definitely rewarded every now and then. Only those who fight can also experience happiness. And I send you a lot of strength for this struggle.
@Annie Sounds like you’ve been very brave this month. Not only for sticking up for your kids but also being open enough with your former in-laws to have that conversation. Holding a healthy line is never comfortable or easy but you’re doing it. I hope you have in-person people to help hold you up during all this.
Your date really missed out. Sucks for them!
@bkryer This is a thing, for sure: “some sort of sense to it when perhaps there was none to be found, or none that I could understand…”
I keep learning that I can try to understand but sometimes you just have to accept that understanding isn’t possible (at least not in my reality) and the best thing to do is figure out how to move forward. Working on that.
@dominikhoecht I’m sorry your own life is difficult at the moment – sending love and good wishes to you. Thanks for these kind words. And great reminders, too, helping me put things in perspective. Not everyone is the same, and sometimes you just have to ride those waves….
@gregmoore Thanks, Greg. I do have some great in-person people and so thankful for them. Dates… they come and go. Always other fish in the sea. Pond? lol
@pimoore appreciate that, Pete. great advice too. I really struggle with letting myself rest and relax (having put my identity/value into being a high-achiever productive person for many years of my life). Learning, learning.