Sadness letting go

[peacock]

I am 63 and have struggled with a dysfunctional family for decades. I have been very upset by the behaviour of my siblings and recently I decided to break off contact with them. Some days I feel fine but other days I feel really down and upset. Today is one of those bad days. I just rang Lifeline and talked to a lovely person. I’m dreading tomorrow morning in case I wake up feeling bad and can’t go in to work. I don’t know what to do or where to turn. I have a supportive husband who is amazing and I know I am fortunate to have him. I just want to feel good.

[monkey_magic]

Hi peacock,

Dysfunctional families can bring you down to say the least and I'm sure you've got valid reasons to break off contact with them.

Do you think you will ever reconcile or is this a permanent thing? Sometimes when you break off contact people realise that they've done the wrong thing and change, other times it makes no difference.

Feel good in your courage to take a stance in not accepting their bad behaviour 👏

It's only natural to feel really down and upset. If your stance isn't forever take hope in the fact you might be teaching them something here. You're also teaching yourself that their behaviour is unacceptable.

Sometimes work makes us feel a bit better. A chance to focus on something else can lighten the load.

I'm glad to hear you have a supportive and amazing husband- a rare find!