One of my goals is to become, develop and grow into a mostly reasonable adult with reasonable connections, based not on over inflated childlike expectations of other people. I would like to be an adult that has human like expectations of other adults - that people often get it wrong - like I do but the right ones for me, mean well and do their best.
My goal is to become self sufficient and healed enough that I meet most of my own needs and get those life affirming top ups from those day to simple interactions from other human beings. I don't want to come from that desparately emotionally needy and lost child like place. I missed out on that stuff from my family. No one can provide it for me. I have to do it for myself. I have to heal my self.
I have been reflecting where I have gone wrong in my friendships and relationships throughout my lifetime. This is not easy but it is a good thing to do so I can work on not being so hard person for other people and myself to be around.
On one level it feels unfair because of the impact of profound abuse and PTSD on my life. On the other hand, if I don't take responsibility, own my behaviours then I will be destined to repeat them for the rest of my life.
My psychriatrist said she has had a few clients that have just had to walk away from their families. So it is not just me. And there is no fixing my family. This is the rational and reality based assessment.
In fact a recent study has shown that 1 in 8 Australias are estranged from a family member. So I am definitely not alone.
So I have to make the best of what I have and what I can get.
I have to take responsibility and reflect on my behaviours.
I have to not set myself up to repeat the patterns of my family and rescue people and then throw a hissey fit when I feel exploited (all of which I set myself up for.)
I need to appreciate and value what I actually have in my life - rather than always longing for something more.
I do need to practice gratitude for everything in my life, particularly taking pleasure in the small things and treasuring them.
I also have to acknowledge and grieve for the losses of my family. Which is mostly in my head as a fantasy and magical thinking anyway. But still I need to work through this.
It would be nice to become, develop and grow into a mostly reasonable adult.
I would like a quick fix. I would like my life to be resolved like a classic narrative Hollywood movie where everything works out in the end, within the space of two to three hours. That is a time frame that would work well for me.
But this is not reality or a reasonable hope. I have to learn to trust my own judgement. I have to learn to make my own decisions. I have to learn to be me. This is going to take time and concerted effort. Though at times, I wish this was not so.