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How to not be a crazy person...

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    How to not be a crazy person...

    For about the past month or so my boyfriend and I have been having such a horrible time. We’ve been together about 6 months and I have to say that I love this man. At first I couldn’t tell if it was love because there wasn’t any drama, fighting and you know the drama that you see when other people sometimes say they are “soooo in love!” our relationship for the most part is stable. He’s genuine, always (or mostly) follows through with what he says, is kind, funny and makes me feel loved. He’s so stable and outright that I really get spooked. When I tried to explain this to him recently he doesn't really "get it" and says that it doesn't make sense so maybe I can explain it too you guys and you could help me:

    Ever since my mom died my life hasn’t been stable and I’ve had a rough living situation that I haven’t been able to share without because every time I think about it I cry. I’ve been living with my aunt up until I moved to London and basically my family has not been the nicest too me since my mother died. They’ve basically told me things like “they loved her(my mother) longer” so their grief is therefore more important, they’ve told me I’m lazy (I’m the only one of my cousins and brothers and sisters that has gone to university, gotten an honors degree and will be starting graduate school and all this while working part time AND doing an internship,) I also fulfilled my dream of living in London, they say that I alienate myself from the family (because they are mean and negative towards me,) my one aunt sent me a letter “suggesting” I buy a gravestone but this is impossible right now because there is about 3 feet of snow on the ground in Manitoba at any given time anyways all this in the past year without my mom there to defend me, encourage me and basically be my family has made me really angry and distant and suspicious of people.

    Around the anniversary of my mom’s death I started to nitpick at him. He wasn't tall enough, his eyes were too close together, he didn't love me enough etc... things that wouldn't normally bother me becamw huge hurdles to our relationship because I didn’t know how to explain that I was a mess and that I needed him to be there for me even if I couldn’t pinpoint how. I really didn’t know how to control this and it really spiraled out of control! I admit that there were ways to deal with this better but to be honest at the time I was so hell bent on it that I don’t think I would have even tried because I was avoiding the reality of my mom being gone for a year.

    So what I’m asking is: 1. how do I separate my distrust hurt and grief and not take it out on him and 2. How do I explain this to him without freaking him out?

    #2
    Have you considered talking to someone about this, like a grief counsellor? It sounds like you've been trying to deal with losing your mother and the horrible way your family has treated you on your own, and you can only take so much. You can use free counselling services in London through the NHS, as I've had to do after losing a family member. Talking to someone and having an objective third party to help you know how to deal with all of this can help a massive amount, and could even help you figure out how to address this all with your SO.

    How much of your situation is your SO aware of? I think it's incredibly important that you open up to him as much as you can, because even though it might not change things to start out, he will be able to understand where you're coming from and hopefully help you feel safe and happy around him again. I find if there's something big that I need to discuss with my SO, I like to get my thoughts down on paper (or Word document...) to have an idea of where to start. I'm sure he already can tell that you're not yourself and will be open to hearing all that you have to say. Don't worry about freaking him out, he loves you and if he's who you think he is, he won't be scared off.

    I absolutely hate when people try to quantify grief - obviously they can't miss her more than you do, and it's cruel of them to suggest that. Losses should bring people together in their sadness, not make it into some kind of competition

    I'm really sorry for what you've been going through, I wish I could say something to help


    Love will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free

    Met: Cork, Ireland - December 31, 2009 • Started Dating: Cork, Ireland - May 22, 2010 • Became LD: July 15, 2010 • My Move From Canada to UK: October 26, 2011
    Closed the distance June 18, 2012!

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      #3
      Hugs,I can imagine what a mess is in your head now...I don't think your SO will freak out because he loves you.moreover,I am sure he will try helping you as much as possible.about calming down-take some time before talking to him,let out your anger and frustration first.explain this to him as well so he won't b be wondering what's going on.and yes,I agree with prev post,counselling sounds like a good idea.be strong girl and we support you here.I am very sorry about your mom but don't let the behaviour of ur family make you depressed

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        #4
        I agree with the other members who posted. I think some grief counselling would do you the world of good. You'll be able to let all your feelings out to someone who is trained to deal with people from all walks of life. I also agree with Kteire, this isn't a competition between your family members with regards to whose grieving the most. The fact is you all lost someone you love dearly and that should bring you together, not be competing against each other...

        I'm sure your SO is there to listen to you, so don't be fearful of letting your emotions out and sharing your thoughts etc. One step at a time my dear.......

        xx




        Started Writing - February 2010
        First Visit - September 2010
        Second Visit - June 2011
        Third Visit & His Release Date - February 2012
        Our Wedding Day - April 2012
        Submitted I-130 Visa Application - July 2012
        NOA1 - July 2012
        NOA2 - December 2012
        Fourth Visit - December 2012
        Closing The Distance - Watch this space

        Comment


          #5
          I think grief counseling would be a great tool for you to use. There may even been support groups for those who have lost a love one. Those two activities would help you with your feelings of hurt and grief and strategies for dealing with your family.

          As for your SO, simply explain to him, either in via Skype or even in a letter if it's easier, that it was recently the anniversary of your mother's passing and she was the world to you. Let him know how much she meant to you and how much she encouraged and defended you against even other members of her family. Now that she is gone, you have also lost your family basically because they don't recognize your loss and treat you as family or at least not one that is wanted or worth much. Explain how they say the things they do despite you many accomplishments. And now it's made you distrustful of people because you are supposed to be able to turn to family and have them in your corner and since they refuse provide familial, you are unsure how to trust people outside your family. Apologize to him for lashing out at him. It wasn't him but a culmination of everything else going on plus the anniversary that overwhelmed you and it came out in a very inappropriate way and at someone who has been there and supported you and loved. Tell him that you are going to correct it and are planned to do XYZ (hopefully you will have counceling sessions set up). Tell him how you feel about him and how you are a little scared because since your mother, he is the one that has given you that feeling of love and support that you have been without for so long.

          I am sure he will be sympathetic once he knows why your behavior has changed and that you are making an earnest effort to deal with it contructively. He may not have had that experience but from how you describe him, he appears to be understanding he just doesn't have all the pieces.

          Comment


            #6
            sounds like my awesome family... (i gave them all the finger..)
            mail what you wrote now to him, that should help a bit to make him understand, but i understand it is hard, i also have a hard time to tell/explain what i feel, but i am in luck he gets it, and make me get myself more most off the time.. does he play any sport, maybe you can explain it that way? that you feel frustrated and feel like your in the dugout watching and can't do anything? think he will understand that.. oke it is very simpel sad but who knows..

            further when i get "angry" like that i do something, like dig in the garden real heavy labor that does the trick for me a alternative is buy some really cheap plate mug whatever at the secondhand store or something and smash them calling the names of your familly (for instance) that should help too
            big hug!!! hope you can figure it out

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks the advice you guys!

              I forgot to include that we met for coffee on Friday since we broke up a month ago after a fight and got back together BUT it just isn't the same (he's distant) and I feel like I owe him a genuine conversation. It's hard since I don't live on my own and he doesn't either so there is no place to have this conversation where I'd feel comfortable to let my emotions show. I'm trying to figure that out because this is a conversation we need to have.

              I did go to a grief counselor but I agree I should still be going to one while in London because there is a ton that I need to talk about, let out and express in a safe environment.

              I'm a bit at a loss because I don't ever want to loose him to something as stupid as this.

              Comment


                #8
                He's probably distant because of how you broke up and distant because he confused about where the relationship is heading/where you stand. Maybe you could find a quiet corner in a library or the park to talk since your homes won't provide privacy?

                Good luck! <3
                Made it official: 12-01-10
                First visit: 3-29-13/4-09-13
                Closed the distance: 07-31-13

                Comment


                  #9
                  He's probably distant because of the break-up and your reconciliation is so new. He might still be wary and confused about certain things.

                  I understand not having your own private space to have what will be a serious and emotional conversation. I wouldn't want it in public with crowds around either. Perhaps a quiet and not busy cafe or diner. You could be seated in the back by window and if it's a booth that would give you more privacy from other's eyes. If either of you have a car, you could talk in the car since it might be too cold right now to be in a park/outdoors.

                  Just be honest and sincere and give him a little bit of time to absorb and understand your situation once you talk to him.

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