Hi Everyone,
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving if you're celebrating. Well, even if you're not, it's a good day to think about where we are and where we've been. On this day I've been aware for about seven months that I was raised by an N and possibly and inverted N and I'd like to quote Judith here from Mika's post. I hope Judith and Mika don't mind.
Finally I am learning about narcissism and why they ganged up on me. After decades I have cut her out of my life. They retaliate by accusations that I am abusive (projecting their own traits on me). I feel finally able to begin to detach. Studying their behavior without getting "hooked" has been a revelation! Now I try for less and less involvement.
For myself, this has been the key to getting my life back. It's not enough to just avoid the problem, and with an elderly NM I feel some responsibility since she's driven everyone else out of her life. BUT, today I'll be having Thanksgiving dinner with my daughter at her small apartment. At the last minute my sister, my nephew and his wife have decided to come too. Before I leave, I'll phone NM and wish her a good day even though I know what the reply will be: "Go ahead and leave me here while you all have a good time." Hah, the guilt ship has sailed, but I am thankful for what I've learned from the experience. We can't escape the past, but we don't have to re-live the same old emotions.
Hope to hear how others of you are spending this day. Have a good one, everybody.
Singer
