Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I just wanted to send you a 360-degree hug.
From what you have shared about the situation, it seems that you have a strong bond with your younger sister and are invested in her well-being. It's possible that you may also be experiencing feelings of sadness or regret about your childhood, particularly the period when you were alone or in need of more care from your parents.
From a psychoanalytic perspective, this could be seen as a kind of projection, where your own needs may be influencing your interactions with your sister. It's possible that you're hoping to receive the same level of care and attention you received when you were younger by taking on a caring role for your sister. It's understandable to have concerns about your parents' ability to provide the same level of care for your sister, given your own experiences.
It's possible that the underlying reason is a desire for more care and attention during your upbringing.
It's also possible that your gender anxiety is related to the fact that you don't feel entirely welcome in the family. It's possible that there's a preference for male children, which might have led to your gender expectations being different from your biological sex. It's understandable that you'd expect to be the gender that your parents expect. Regarding your gender anxiety, I'm just guessing because I don't know your actual situation.
It may be helpful to consider that the person you want to accompany is actually yourself. It's possible that inside you there is a wounded inner child, which may be longing, angry, worried, and in need of soothing and healing.
Psychological counseling suggests that a person with a traumatic childhood may have the opportunity to heal in two ways: through intimate relationships and through parent-child relationships. This could mean that you have the chance to heal your own childhood trauma in the process of raising your sister.
It seems that you are currently healing your childhood trauma in your relationship with your sister.
If I may make a suggestion, it would be to talk to a counselor about your concerns regarding your sister, your own upbringing, your relationship with your parents, etc.
Secondly, perhaps it would be helpful to let your sister navigate her own path. I have always felt that everyone has their own life trajectory, and that what happens to them is part of their destiny.
If you feel that your absence may have had a negative psychological impact on your younger sister, that she resents you for not being there for her, that it has created a rift between you, and that she even accuses you of being a bad sister, it might be helpful to consider that these feelings are a result of her own internal experiences and that she needs to face them. Sometimes I feel that our external environment, such as the circumstances of our birth, our parents, our siblings, and our customs, can influence our experiences, but they cannot determine the trajectory of our lives.
You are far away, and it may or may not affect your sister. But this is your sister's business, not yours. Of course, you are not doing nothing. You can spend more time with your sister, for example, take her with you during the summer and winter vacations, call and video chat with her more often, and buy her small gifts when she gets older. In this way, you can play the role of a protector in her life and accompany her in another way.
Third, whether or not to switch schools is a decision that ultimately rests with you. In my opinion, I would not recommend switching schools.
It is worth noting that companionship does not necessarily require frequent meetings. If you were to switch schools for your younger sister, it would undoubtedly be a significant decision. While it is impossible to predict the future, it is possible that your feelings towards your younger sister might change in the event that this decision affects your life in the future. However, this is your decision, and your younger sister has not been involved in the decision-making process.
It may also be unfair to make her bear the disappointment you may feel. After all, the future is hard to predict.
I consider myself to be a counselor who is often both Buddhist and pessimistic, and occasionally positive and motivated.
I am a counselor who tends to see the world through a lens of both optimism and pessimism. I hope you will accept my perspective with the same open mind I offer it.
Comments
I can relate to your concerns about your sister and the impact of not being around during her early years. It's important to remember that your absence was due to circumstances beyond your control, and it doesn't necessarily mean she will resent you. Quality time and genuine efforts to connect with her now can help build a strong relationship.
The distance between you and your sister must be hard, especially given your own struggles with bipolar disorder. While it's natural to worry about the effects of your absence on her, try focusing on the positive influence you can have now. Your understanding and support can be incredibly valuable for her mental health.
Reflecting on your university choice is understandable, but it's also crucial to recognize that where you study does not define your ability to be a good sibling. Your empathy and willingness to support your sister show that you care deeply about her wellbeing. Instead of dwelling on what could have been, consider how you can make a difference in her life today.