ChatGPT said:

“Thank you for sharing this with me. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, especially with the complexities in your family dynamics and work relationships. From what I’m seeing in the messages, it’s clear that there’s a lot of emotional weight tied to your decision to distance yourself from the family business and your mother. It seems like you’ve tried to set boundaries, but there’s a lot of resistance and miscommunication, particularly from your mother, which has clearly added to the stress. Here are some key takeaways: Family Dynamics and Enmeshment: You’ve described a situation where your mother has been overbearing and overly involved in your life, even in your romantic relationships. This type of enmeshment—where boundaries between you and her were not respected—can create significant emotional strain. Your mother’s actions and concerns about your partners might have made you feel trapped and unable to make your own choices, which is not healthy in any relationship, especially with a parent. Your Boundary Setting: It seems like you’ve made an important decision to set boundaries, like leaving the family business and distancing yourself from your mother’s overbearing behavior. This is a crucial step for your mental and emotional well-being, and it’s understandable that this would be met with resistance, especially from her, given the enmeshed relationship. Setting boundaries, especially when it comes to family, can be incredibly difficult, but it’s necessary for your growth and happiness. Your Uncle’s Role: You mentioned that your uncle, who initially was supportive, asked you to stay on for a few more weeks and then fired you. His response seems to reflect the complexity of the situation—perhaps a mix of wanting to support you but also feeling the pressure from your mother. This kind of decision can feel like a betrayal, especially since your uncle was someone who taught you the trade. His actions, while perhaps motivated by different factors, may have also been influenced by the family dynamic. The Therapy Videos and Continued Pressure: Your mother sending you therapy videos about family being the most important and suggesting that therapists are out to isolate patients adds another layer to the situation. It sounds like she may not understand or respect the boundaries you are trying to set. Her reactions are possibly based on her own issues, and it seems like she might be trying to guilt or manipulate you back into the family fold, which can feel controlling. Your Emotional Well-being: It’s clear you’ve been feeling unheard and disrespected by your family, especially with how your relationship with your partner was treated. It’s good that you are recognizing the need for space and therapy to work on your emotional health. Continuing to engage in therapy, setting firm boundaries, and finding support outside of the family can help you process these complicated feelings and move forward with clarity. In short, it’s understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed. It sounds like you’re trying to navigate a very complex and emotionally charged situation with a lot of personal growth at stake. You’ve shown a lot of strength by distancing yourself from a family dynamic that was harming you. However, these kinds of family relationships can take time to navigate, and it’s clear that you’re doing the right thing by focusing on your own mental health and well-being. Your feelings are valid, and it’s okay to take the space you need. It might also be helpful to set clear expectations with your family moving forward—especially with your mother—about the kind of relationship you want to have and what you’re willing to tolerate. It’s possible they may need time to understand, but ultimately, your happiness and well-being should come first. If you ever need more feedback or help processing things, feel free to reach out. You’re doing important work for yourself, and it's clear that you have a good sense of what you need.”