I'm sitting here shaking my head in agreement. This could have been written about my family.
My final cut of toxic family members was in 2019. I have one sister left that I talk to, and we both had to remove ourselves from the toxicity. We went from a family of roughly 23 to 5 when the teams (haha) were finally picked.
We lost my bro in law 2 years ago, so now 4 total.
I know I am the happiest I have been in my life at this time. I know I don't have to tell you, it can be brutal. I would have probably never eliminated the toxicity had I not gone to a wonderful counselor about 15 years. After then, the years just got better and better. Peace brother.
I know about having to do the family cuts, if even for a short stint of years. I used to worry feeling like I no longer belonged to something, especially on holidays, and then one day it dawned on me I can't miss what I actually never felt.
My friends and extended family were my chosen family, I had my own actual family and my God, and that was enough. In fact, pretty good. :)
After hearing your audio it occurred to me those of us who ever felt excluded, discarded or made to feel unimportant are some of the most vocal champions of inclusion and fairness because we know a bit about what it's like to be minimized, ostracized, and subjected to whichever way the direction of the winds were blowing, much like a weather vane. We mastered how to get really small and as invisible as possible and quiet so as not to draw attention to ourselves. Over time, as we grew, we formed our opinions, found our voices and dared to share our truths with others, in the hopes of sparing anyone else the pain we endured, and to let others know they are not alone.
I'm sitting here shaking my head in agreement. This could have been written about my family.
My final cut of toxic family members was in 2019. I have one sister left that I talk to, and we both had to remove ourselves from the toxicity. We went from a family of roughly 23 to 5 when the teams (haha) were finally picked.
We lost my bro in law 2 years ago, so now 4 total.
I know I am the happiest I have been in my life at this time. I know I don't have to tell you, it can be brutal. I would have probably never eliminated the toxicity had I not gone to a wonderful counselor about 15 years. After then, the years just got better and better. Peace brother.
My heart harbors so much respect for you. Your insights, your compassion and your collection of articulate voice burns with love for humanity. Love
Thank you, that's very nice of you to say ;)
This is my family too..... 💔
Thank you 💙
I know about having to do the family cuts, if even for a short stint of years. I used to worry feeling like I no longer belonged to something, especially on holidays, and then one day it dawned on me I can't miss what I actually never felt.
My friends and extended family were my chosen family, I had my own actual family and my God, and that was enough. In fact, pretty good. :)
After hearing your audio it occurred to me those of us who ever felt excluded, discarded or made to feel unimportant are some of the most vocal champions of inclusion and fairness because we know a bit about what it's like to be minimized, ostracized, and subjected to whichever way the direction of the winds were blowing, much like a weather vane. We mastered how to get really small and as invisible as possible and quiet so as not to draw attention to ourselves. Over time, as we grew, we formed our opinions, found our voices and dared to share our truths with others, in the hopes of sparing anyone else the pain we endured, and to let others know they are not alone.
Be well!
Christy 🇺🇲❤️🕊