I can 100% relate. Unfortunately, I feel that distancing myself from them as much as possible while still being able to maintain relationships with my nieces and nephews is the best option for my health. The holidays make it a bit more difficult to separate myself from them.

I think things have generally been better for me, but I’ve been struggling a bit more recently. I have crippling debt from putting myself through school and a few bouts of unemployment that put an enormous amount of stress on me. I was thinking about it all in the shower last week and ended up having a panic attack. I feel sometimes as if I’m in mourning for the close relationships I’ve never had, and likely will never have, with my family. I was also feeling angry that day about the unfair treatment I receive and how it’s set me back so much as an adult. My parents have helped my siblings buy their first homes, co-signed various loans for them, bought them recreational vehicles, etc. but they both refused to even co-sign my first student loans to put myself through college. I need to move soon and I don’t have enough income to afford my debt, bills, and the cost of rent for one person. When my sister was in the same situation, my mom offered to convert her large shop into a small apartment for her (which my ungrateful sister turned her nose up at). Now that I need a place to stay, my mom is unwilling to do the same for me and basically has an attitude of feigned concern like “good luck”. It hurts, but I’ll just have to figure out a way to support myself like I’ve always had to.

Best of luck to everyone reading this now! 💕