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Botched self care day

User Profile: bandaidbear
bandaidbear May 4th

I can't tell if this is normal or not. I'm ever so slightly tipsy and on mobile while writing this, so bear with me.

I just finished my third week of my first full-time job out of college. I work from 7am-6pm, 6 days a week. I am currently living with my parents.

Today is Saturday, and I've been having a rough time, so I wanted to have a self care day. About two weeks ago, I got into a fight with my parents because I wanted to visit my friends for their graduation, which falls on Mother's Day, so I wouldn't be able to celebrate with my parents and grandmother. I offered to make it up to them by taking them out to a meal after I got back, but they turned me down. In the fight they brought up that I ruined last Mother's Day because it was my graduation and I still hadn't finished packing up my dorm room so I made it miserable for everybody. I still plan to write my mom and grandmother cards and have the restaurant surprise them with the cards on Mother's Day when they go for brunch. My parents are still upset about this and I also recently got abruptly/rudely broken up with. My parents know nothing about the breakup. Please don't suggest to me to tell them about it, it's better for my mental health to keep my personal life private from them because their comments are often rude and disparaging.

For my self care day, I wanted to pack some snacks, a mixed drink, and a book, and take an edible and go for a short hike and have a picnic. I even had a cute little outfit planned. This morning I asked my mom if I could borrow a bag she hasn't used in a few years because I was going on this hike, and she said yes.

I was pretty much done packing and getting dressed when my dad texted me to ask if I wanted to make some cupcakes since my mom couldn't do it because she was currently doing laundry. I walked over to the room where he was watching TV and said that I was about to go on a hike (I was bustling around the house all morning to get ready and he saw me doing this) and I asked if I could do it tomorrow when I got back from work or the next day when I got back from work. He said that was okay, but he seemed a little upset and his tone made me uncomfortable, but I kept getting ready anyway. I had my bedroom door closed because I was finishing getting dressed and I heard him saying to my mom that he was "dumbfounded" by the way I was acting. My mom said that after the fight we had, nothing really surprises her anymore.

I had a bunch of feelings at this point. Guilty because I was upsetting/disappointing them, sad that they were talking about me behind my back/that my dad didn't communicate with me what was actually going on, confused as to whether I should even go or not, and slightly angry that this was putting a damper on my self care day that I had been looking forward to.

When I opened my bedroom door to leave, both my parents told me to have fun and be safe. That made me feel even worse and more confused.

I decided not to take any edibles, because I kinda need to be at the top of my game to deal with their mind games, and because I didn't want to waste it on a time that I was this upset. My parents also know nothing about my substances, and I don't plan on telling them. I didn't go on the hike that I planned or wear the cute outfit I wanted, I just walked until I found a bench, sat down and chugged my drink, and took everything out of my bag to dry because some of it had spilled. I passed a water fountain on the way here so I'll get some water on the way back.

As I was walking, I was thinking of how I can plan things better to avoid them getting upset at me for something like this. But I was also thinking that I don't want to learn their stupid doublespeak language, and I want to be able to do things and live my life. Every day I wonder more and more why they decided to have a kid.

I texted my best friend what happened as soon as I left the house, but I want more input.

The timer on my phone just rang, so I've been out for an hour, and now I'm gonna go back and tell them that the hike didn't take as long as I thought and I'll make the cupcakes now.

Is this normal? I can't tell if I'm doing something wrong, and I don't know how to fix it. And I don't know if I should try to fix it because usually if I course-correct too quickly, they get mad at me (probably because they think it's not genuine?). I really can't understand how their minds work, and in my stronger moments I don't ever want to. But I just need some way to keep the peace while retaining my sanity.

3
User Profile: CheeryMango
CheeryMango May 17th

It sounds like you're dealing with a lot, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Your feelings are valid, and it's okay to feel upset and confused about how your parents reacted. Taking time for yourself is really important, even if your self-care day didn't go as planned. Communicating your plans to your parents might help reduce misunderstandings, even though it's not always easy. Finding a balance between respecting their wishes and taking care of your own mental health is key. Setting boundaries, even small ones, can help. Keep talking to your friends and therapist for support. You're doing your best in a tough situation, and that's something to be proud of.

User Profile: Feelfree667
Feelfree667 July 18th

I can understand your situation.  It happens with many people in daily life. I can feel it that you are dealing with so many things. But iam glad that you took the step towards self care. Don't worry if this time plan didn't work out according to you. Facing the problem with parents is really hard to go through it because it is really a very confusing situation.  

User Profile: MeganRenea
MeganRenea July 23rd

@bandaidbear

This is a really complex situation. The "double speak" you mentioned and the guilt tripping sounds especially distressing. It almost sounds like your parents are not quite comfortable with the idea that you are an adult now with your own agency, issues, and thoughts that may not coincide with their plans or feelings. You can't control that your or your friends' graduation fell around mother's day. It's pretty unfair for them to say you have to celebrate in the way they want instead of taking your offer to do something that would be more convenient for you. I think texting your best friend was a really great idea because it helped you vent. And writing here also was smart and by the way it was well done. You're blossoming into an true adult, stretching your wings to explore, but you're still under their roof so it's a tightrope. You seem to have a good handle on the substance use in that you can dial it back when you feel like you have things to address. I hope you update us on how going back to the house went and whether or not you spoke to them about how they've been making you feel lately.  Best of luck with all of it!