Hey @ethel , thank you for having the courage to share something so personal and meaningful to you. That takes real strength.
From everything youâve described, itâs clear youâre carrying an enormous emotional load right now. I genuinely hear your longing for freedom and relief. Your feelings are completely valid.
At the same time, Iâve learned that when weâre emotionally overwhelmed, our perspective can shift in ways that make everything feel more intense or hopeless than it might actually be. When our minds are emotional, it is not the best time to jump to conclusions and make drastic decisions. It is often the time when our mind is overwhelmed and we only see the bad, and not the good. This however, doesnât minimize what youâre experiencingâitâs just worth considering as you navigate these difficult emotions.
Communication breakdowns can be incredibly painful, especially with the people closest to us. We all express love, frustration, and needs differently, and sometimes our messages get lost in translation even when weâre speaking the same language.
If youâre open to it, Iâd gently suggest having a calm conversation with your husband/ parentsânot to air grievances, but to share how youâve been feeling and what you need from them. This can help in clarity and even in gaining new perspectives, both sides. As the saying that goes from one of Stephen Coveyâs principles: âseek to understand only to be understoodâ.
You might also consider couples counseling or communication workshops with your husband and your family. Having a neutral space to explore each otherâs love languages and stress responses can be transformative for relationships.
The truth is, none of us are mind readers. Healthy relationships require us to clearly express our needs while also seeking to understand our partnerâs perspective. Itâs hard work, but itâs often the path toward the connection and understanding weâre actually seeking.
Wishing you much growth and wisdom forwardsđż
(If youâre looking for any books to help you in your relationship with your husband, the book âMen are from Mars, Women are from Venusâ is a really great read. Do check it out it personally helped me a great deal~)