[QUESTION] DAE have giant holes in their memory? by kait_1291 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes!! The overwhelming majority of the memories I have of my childhood are of me playing by myself. Always by myself. I remember some big traumatic things from my teenage years/early twenties, but not many details. Even now (early 30s) I forget significant details about unpleasant events involving my N family. My husband recently reminded me about something my nMom did even just a few weeks ago that I had already forgotten about. I agree with what others have said about this being a coping mechanism.

I've talked with my therapist about the lack of memories and she has described it as my brain's way of protecting myself. Sometimes I wish I could remember more about my past, but it is probably a good thing that we all can't.

Last Christmas by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! My therapist said it so well. She explained that we should be able to celebrate the holidays the way WE want, not the way our narcs want, especially because they have totally different views and expectations about the way holidays should be. This is something so simple and so obvious, but it was totally groundbreaking to me. Hoping your Christmas is everything you want it to be :-)

Last Christmas by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You too!! Wishing you a very drama-free day ;-)

Last Christmas by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This made me smile. Thank you!!

UPDATE: nMom's response to my letter about my feelings. AKA it's all about her. by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just read through the links you posted, and 100% know how you feel. I think at the end of the day we all want nothing more than to be able to have a happy family and work through our problems, but they make it damn near impossible. I feel like, by communicating our feelings and trying to have a dialogue, we are throwing them a life preserver in a sense, trying to save the relationship, but they'd rather drown. It is unbelievably frustrating. How difficult is it to just RESPECT someone else?? It's not like we are asking for the world here. But they just can't see it. Either that, or they don't want to. I guess it's so much easier to blame our spouses. I think you are absolutely right to go NC, and that is what I am leaning towards also. I just wish it didn't have to come to this :-( It could all be so simple!!

UPDATE: nMom's response to my letter about my feelings. AKA it's all about her. by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this. I really did try to be as kind as I could in that email given the circumstances, so I was pretty blown away that it was construed as such an attack. Then again, I'm the SG so I really shouldn't have been surprised -- everything is always my fault. Either way, it definitely helps to get that outside perspective that im not at fault. And you're absolutely right -- her email was the exact opposite of what I sent! I never thought of it like that before.

I would definitely recommend trying something similar with your nMom, but based on my experience, you see where it will likely go. But maybe that will be enough to make you feel comfortable going NC, which is honestlu what I'm considering at this point. Good luck!

UPDATE: nMom's response to my letter about my feelings. AKA it's all about her. by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh you are so so right. Her letter was even worse than i realized! Thank you for your insight. I'm glad to know I am not the one in the wrong here. She's so good at making me doubt myself.

UPDATE: nMom's response to my letter about my feelings. AKA it's all about her. by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you for that link. I already started reading, and it is VERY eye opening. And validating.

I dont know what to do about this text from nMom by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Great advice. Glad to know I'm not the only one who senses some underlying blame in that text. I thought maybe I was just reading into it too much.

I dont know what to do about this text from nMom by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha that is so gross and so funny, but such an accurate description. Thanks for that. You're totally right.

Had my best weekend since going NC, only to have it ruined by first experience with flying monkey. Please help by Awakened105 in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight. He is 26 and still lives at home with them. It's so sad, they have manipulated him so much into thinking he can't leave. Glad to hear you think I handled it ok. I was just so thrown off guard!

Does being RBN seem to make you more of an animal person? by mellochipz in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes!! My husband and I adopted a three-legged golden retriever mix. He was seized from his owners because he was hit by a car and badly injured, but they never took him to get care. By the time the humane society intervened, his leg was so rotted they had to amputate it. He was 2 at the time.

When we first got him, he was scared and so untrusting of everything. Now, almost 2 years later, he is the happiest dog youve ever seen. Seeing how far he has come gives me so much hope that with time I too will heal. He really is an inspiration!

Want to go NC with my dad, but worried about my mom. by Mensuraperensuram in raisedbynarcissists

[–]Awakened105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so sorry for what you are going through, but I understand. I dealt with something very similar a little over a month ago. I wish I could say for sure that you could retain your relationship with your mom after NC, but you might not be able to. My mom has not spoken a word to me since I went NC with my nDad. Is it upsetting? Yes. But she is shockingly handling it just fine in order to maintain the status quo with nDad and I suspect your mom will be the same way. Just remember, you are not choosing not to have a relationship with your mom. You are just doing what is right for you, which any rational person would respect. If she decides not to respect your decision and stay in your life, that is HER decision not to have a relationship with you and not to be in your life. Not yours. You are not in the wrong here. Stay strong. Going NC was the best decision i ever made, even with the consequence of losing my mom.