Surviving Your Family by Setting Boundaries

This year is different. Disagreements, misunderstandings, and stress combine as political, economic, social, and health-related concerns merge to make this one of the most challenging years any of us have faced. If you are grieving on top of everything else, your pain and griefwork have been interrupted by isolation, fear, anxiety and, possibly, numbness. Now it is summer. Upcoming special days can be difficult enough to endure anytime, but trips and gatherings of families and friends this year are sure to be challenging even if they are virtual.  Everyone needs a guide and a little concrete advice because everyone knows someone who has a habit of doing or saying just what “pushes buttons” that are better left un-pushed. You probably already know who believes what in your circle. Take time to think about what you want to do over the next few months and even into the holiday season. It would be nice if you could choose what interests you, get plenty of rest, eat good food and stay hydrated. Aim for those things. Write them down. But, as you design your own guide, you’ll need a category for “when things go wrong” and for “obligations.” You have options. Think ahead and even write down different scenarios. Imagine how you might feel if your uncle tells you one more time that you’ve got to get over x, y, or z. Try different responses. Find one that doesn’t make your blood pressure head skyward. When you encounter these situations in real time, you’ll have y...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Family Relationships Self-Help Boundaries Communication Estrangement Personal Boundaries Source Type: blogs