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Something’s not right

Still safe, but it's hell here.

Still safe, but it's hell here.

Hey there, everyone. Just feeling more than a little terror-struck at the moment and had to put my thoughts down as a record of my life unravelling.

I went to a local social place yesterday to see if I could break out of this slipstream and meet new people – the slipstream I mentioned recently of how, no matter how hard I try, and in how many places I try to start afresh, my life experiences, and the people I experienced them with, take up in new places every time I venture out. Different people playing the same roles.

It mainly started in my last family home where I had my 'parents' and 'ps-in-law' represented on either side. When I lived with the homeless, my 'father' and 'f-in-law' (same nationality too) were also residents and both gravitated towards me. They would both come and sit at my table for four at dinner. In fact, I got to know and understand my father through that man like I had never known my father in our actual relationship. He was so like my father, his personality with all of its flaws, yet he was really nice and good company. I could never relate to my father so this substitute was wonderful. Insightful.

I don't bring this about – it just happens. I am not trying to recreate my life and relationships. In fact, many of these relationships are to be avoided at all costs.

Recently in another setting, a number of past damaging interpersonal relationships re-presented and I couldn't break out of the repetition. Even a name of two particular people was the same. Yesterday I tried another, and my daughter who took out the IVO against me when I wrote to wish her a happy birthday was represented there, also even had the same name and exhibited the same misdirected lifestyle. The others were all different, but I'm going back next week to see if they have moved into different 'roles'. There were 4 of us and 3 exchanged mobile numbers but no-one asked for mine.

It's like I left my home state decades ago to get away from this dreadfully damaging system of relationships, yet it all just keeps following me around like unfinished business and it seems it won't stop until they take me 'out'.

The police officer who told me that all I had to do was write to the Magistrate's Court to tell them that I would comply with my daughter's IVO and it would be settled, was wrong. The hearing by Webex is in a couple of weeks and is wearing me down. I was very seriously affected by the hearing's approach, until I was informed that because it would take me 2 and a half hours to get there on public transport, it would be done by video which is a little less stressful. It feels like it may be the end of my upright life, that I am now tangled up with the law. I'm even wondering if they have been able to get my ex-psy to provide a false appraisal of me. It wouldn't surprise me in the least. Perhaps he set that up years ago. I will just have to wait and see. I know it will have a devastating affect on me even if I seem to shake it off. How could they do this to my daughter? They love these attention-seeking sordid goings-on. The centre of attention for them all again – and they are revelling in every minute of it.

I recently watched and was very concerned as @Powderfinger's life was going from bad to worse, and now it's happening to me.

And my ex-psy knows exactly what is going on in my life and how it is affecting me. It's like he is my puppet master. And he won't let me suicide because he just isn't finished with me yet.

And he told me, decades ago, that no-one will understand. So does anyone?

I have a strong feeling that they are after my money now and I am very scared. I've almost been stripped bare.

50 replies

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In response to: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

@Historylover

How values and mores shift and change. I joined a couple online groups about it (parental aliention and estrangement) and gradually am healing in that I do not give as much of my time to it and the pain and shame of it... My support co-ordinator keeps gas lighting me about it ... NOT what she is paid for. At last tho, I am able to analyse when people are damaging for me and deflect it and move away. I will move away from her when I can. I often took the high road and the silent road or the path less travelled with sacrificing my reputation and needs and even my basic goodness. I am simply not as bad as made out by certain people.

There are not many people I know who have had the experience in a similar way as us. I am working on the FACT that I deserve some goodness life, even if those who I loved the most are not part of my circle, and my son who is close is suffering becasue of it. I can be on my high horse and full of rage about it ... but that does not really help. So I made Burrumundi plus bush spices and chinese veg ... stir fry ... and bit of a fusion ... and a yummy chocolate mousse ... cos my birthday is coming up ... gave son a science cooking lesson ... about mixing in the air at the right levels (using the lekkie beater)... plus bowls and utensils to lick ... and that we have some right to enjoy pleasure even when we are 80. He is pretty depressed atm and I am worried. He said he knew I never wanted to fob the kids off with sugar treats but always gave good quality. Tis a pity my daughters do not believe that, but they were manipulated and I have to let it go. They are both good cooks and have more overt success than him. They do not "need" me, so I guess I did a good enough job. I certainly gave it my all, and he is def not my favourite. I do not NEED him to need me. It is just the way our complicated dynamic with blended extras ... played out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrdhgWR9Zk here is a guy who wrote a cakewalk with the best of intentions but now is in trouble for it for being not culturally appropriate. Life is tricky and God does not always punish the wicked. It is NOT always clear the difference between good and bad.

I can be strong today as I have had 3 wonderful walks with good people this week and 2 wonderful sings ... the only thing I paid a cent for was belonging to the good choir. All my social interactions were great quality and evolving, so that is good feedback which I need to sustain faith in goodness and myself. There are so many little community groups springing up with events along the river and beach and the hills ... I am making the most of it.

Take Care

Apple

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

I hope my venting isn't keeping your wounds open @Appleblossom.

I didn't know there were online groups for parental alienation and estrangement. I will be investigating that myself. Perhaps it will bring me some solace. No, there certainly aren't many people in our situation. And it just never stops hurting.

I hadn't realized the meaning behind the term 'cakewalk'.

I am dreading the court hearing, but I know they will all be looking forward to it with eagerness and high dudgeon. They think it makes them look important to be attending court, and they will be the centre of attention yet again. They just can't get enough of it. It all just makes me despair at how low my family has sunk. And how dishonourable. I am actually thinking that it wouldn't surprise me if my ex-psy has some input into their ludicrous allegations. I wouldn't put anything passed him.

I marked your birthday on my calendar last year when I asked you when it was. Doing anything special? I'll wish you a happy birthday on the day.

I'm pleased you are having so many pleasant activities. Gives us purpose, doesn't it?

In response to: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

What an interesting series of events @Historylover

Thank you for providing the updates.. 🙂

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

No your posting is not "keeping my wound open" @Historylover Do not worry about that. They are our children and will always be a part of us. I cannot really predict when I feel my pain about it. It comes on when it comes on. I do not want to be "recovered" from loving my children. I am just slow to see the nature of the games and protect myself, because so many many big things were going on, but been working steadily on self care in last 5-7 years. I still have their photos all over my bedroom wall ... and I concentrate on my love and let go what I cannot control. Recently I shuffled pictures in communal areas of house to reflect positive values for my son more than the whole family... cos maybe their photos would trigger him ... idk.

The groups were simply a facebook group and youtubes.

here is one ... but cant remember exactly what made the difference for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L75oJPFw7cU

Cos I was doing study I liked that he liked Bowen Theory. Bowen Theory talks to dynamics more than blame. I also had a big American input from the in laws ... so it put sociocultual things in context for me. My ex ... would drawl about divorce and other cynical digs while I was trying to make marriage work ... and makes out he is in great with the girls ... but my son is sadenned by the quality of relationships ... and how derisive and manipulating and controlling they are to their father ...it is all sad ... my main goal is to minimise further harm... and live out my life in the best manner possible.

It helped me to see how common it is. I came from the 'always forgive' camp, 'see the good in the other person' no matter what, but others do not have the same values. I was not good at boundaries and self defence mechanisms so working on that. So much that happened was far worse than my worst nightmare ...

Your whole court situation would be so utterly distressing. I can only imagine. They sound very immature and with strong sense of entitlement. Do you have any court services on your side? We had court issues 20 years ago (and 35 years ago with his first ex), and I do not want to go back there. Do whatever you need for your own self respect and dignity.

I had a weird out of the ordinary "coincidence" last time at court ... as an old school friend was working in security and recognised me ... and hollered out over the intercom ... totally weird ... her daughter was also same name as mine ... I introduced her to mine ... but I do not think my daughter was impressed ... as old gf is very bogan ... anyway in the end I taught her daughter L**** piano for years ... cos she knew I was decent ...it was weird cos her family knew my sibs when young, that helped heal me.

The interventions of well meaning or non well meaning 'professionals' are often more experimental than they let on. They do not really know the full consequences ... and it is not all about ... whether the client is putting work or effort in ... it simply does not address the full complexity of family and social systems, and current cut off practices ... which are all over the shop ...

I am not sure how to mend and reconcile, while I was clinging to that, I was hurting myself, I tried last year, at suggestion of spt wkr, but gobstopped and amazed at how complete the disconnect. To keep engaging would keep my daughter being very toxic and patronising and ignorant and confused about many things. I did not want to encourage that. As she has a 'super' successful persona ... post doctoral studies and great job ... but weird stuff happening around family indicates her pain ..... cant go into it. Huge power imbalances. Big names. When I think of something I do it, but I am all out of ideas ... I was usually at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

To protect myself now, I detach and do not often respond when people are 'venting' on the forum. I support their right to do so, but I gave so deeply with my sibs, I am learning different levels of closeness and responsiblity, and try and keep my forum time as realistic and positive for me as I can.

I have seen so many people venting in social situations and get away with it, then others are very snooty and critical and call everything venting ... Now I am getting cagier ... about people pleasing people venting about their minor issues ... I may nod and quietly move away. Everybody has pain.

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

@Historylover When fb groups got too negative and even seemed bitchy .. I just withdrew, but still it was worth it ... I did not post in those groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S60q2NSaqzI

I have accepted that the level of pain and trauma from whole family system was so severe that it frightened my daughter dreadfully, and she is driven. Making sense of it ... I am actually an individual, and I am not my family, even tho family is so important to me.

Re my birthday. No plans. That was really lovely to hear you cared. Thanks. Just decided its fish and chips and icecream! Basic. Yum.

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

@AussieRecharger My series of events is so ludicrous that I don't know whether to laugh or cry, or just settle for despair.

I have had a lovely day mingling with a nice group of people I have never met before. It's good social training. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be going back for more. Just cautiously and carefully dipping my toes in the water. My ex-psy was always throwing me in the deep end and, while it works out well, I will continue that way.

But it has really been another super day. YAY!!

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

So pleased you listened but didn't take on my baggage, @Appleblossom.

As for my daughter, it is not her fault. She's been dragged into a very dirty game and there was no way I could prevent that. She was imprinted by that ghastly woman who supplanted me and trained my daughters in her image, her behaviour, her 'norms'. And that is the last thing I wanted for my daughters. At 15 years old, she was very impressionable and vulnerable, and having that woman, who had no rules and took no consequences for her actions, influencing her must have been very tempting to follow, and then defend. And of course, when she went to school she could be the centre of attention and everyone would circle her to learn the latest gossip according to my daughter's interpretation of it. My family, at all levels, including my parents, had a desperate need to be the centre of attention. That's what I'm trying to eradicate. It is so destructive of all that is good. Get attention by all means when we do something good. That's nice, and earned. But to self-destruct to get it...

I had no photographs of my family framed and on display until my recent renovations when I copied those on Facebook and framed them up. Then the IVO and I tore them all up. Some things said in it made me realize things about my parents, already bad enough not to be forgiven, were actually worse that I had thought. It all just left me flabbergasted as to how a family could be so twisted, so indifferent to betrayal, and engage in downright evil actions – even letting me take the blame, then continue as if nothing had happened. Words fail.

I needed a psychiatrist to undo the damage done to me by my birth family and beyond, then to also repair the additional further abuse by my own family and others, not because there was 'something wrong with me'. What a life!! At least we can speak from experience.

Your ex-husband is still alive? And re-married? My ex-husband is trying to use this situation to find some self-worth by trying to deprive me of mine. Not a hope. He doesn't have much, or self-confidence. He is immature and just wanting to be noticed. He has many shortcomings and he needs to work on them. He won't fix them by trying to make me feel beneath him. What a joke! I worked hard to earn mine. He should do the same.

I don't come from an 'always forgive' camp myself @Appleblossom. Mine is more forgiveness, like respect, is earned. And is cautiously given.

Perhaps everything just needs to run its course.

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

@Appleblossom, I think that, even though everything seems so dire re our family relationships sometimes, we are all in neutral corners working things out. All good things in good time.

In response to: Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

Re: Still safe, but it's hell here.

I dont advocate 'always forgive' in the face of abuse. Its just that I was not clear where the abuse was coming from for me, had no other models and that is what I did. A lot of it was unconscious but required by all the life &death issues going on. Just keep feeding and caring etc. I am raising the bar for myself more now.

@Historylover

Good to catch up.

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