Hello, I really understand your current situation and state of mind. It's so true that the simpler the relationship between people, the easier it is to get along. It can be really tricky to get along when your work relationship and your family relationship are mixed together, so it's totally normal to feel a bit awkward. On a deeper level, there's a big gap between what you want and what's actually happening, which has caused some painful emotions. But as long as we calmly sort out some logic, we can be relieved.
I'd love to share some of my thoughts with you!
1. "I gave up my previous job because I wanted to return to my family." This is a big decision for you and your family. It's totally normal to give up one thing in order to have the other.
It's so important to think about what you want and what's really valuable to you. I know it can be hard to give up income to return to your family, but it's also a chance to take care of them and provide value to your loved ones. It's a choice you should make with your partner, but once you've made it, it's not fair to focus only on the income you've lost and ignore the added value. It's so important to think about what's really important to you.
2. "Because I wanted to have an income, I had to settle for a lower-level job." It's totally understandable that you want to have an income. It's a big decision to make changes in your life. I don't see any reason for settling for a lower-level job, though. Is it because you can't find a job at your previous income level due to the worsening market environment, or is it because you want to take care of your family and have a certain income, so you have to lower your standards in terms of commuting distance, commuting time, workload, etc.?
I think it's probably the latter. If you're only choosing based on income, why not try going back to your old company and talking to your manager about a suitable position? If I'm right, then if you think about what you need, you'll see that you don't have to be dissatisfied. You were going to go back to your family full-time, but now you can take care of them and still earn a certain income, so it's better!
It's so important to remember that you can't ignore the care of your family and just compare the income of the new job with the previous company.
3. "Because I didn't want to compromise, I was unemployed for nearly three years." I'm guessing you didn't want to accept the salary and job content offered by the new company, right?
Or you could always refer to point 2 and figure out what you want and what the overall value is.
4. "I accepted a job offer from my loved one's family." I'm guessing you went to work for the business that your loved one's brother-in-law co-owns, right?
As I mentioned at the start, it can be tricky to navigate a dual identity. It's important to consciously differentiate between your various roles. For instance, at work, you might view yourself as an employee and interact with colleagues based on their job responsibilities and as individuals outside of work. At family gatherings, you can connect with them as relatives.
It can be tough to switch roles, but choosing a dual identity relationship is a great way to get along with each other!
5. "They said I should smile at everyone." If this is something that's expected of you because of your position and other people in similar roles are expected to do the same, that's totally normal! But if it's because of the family relationship and they're hoping you'll meet their expectations because of that, then their expectations might be a little higher than what's typical for regular employees. It just depends on whether you're willing to give a correspondingly high return.
6. "I'm not super close with my lover's brother-in-law and her partner, and we're not super close, either. If you don't have a family relationship with them, what kind of relationship would you choose?
If they're also indifferent, that's okay! Just remember that because they're indifferent to me as a leader, they may not treat me well, and I may be fired. That's a possibility. It's up to you whether you think that's mature and rational or not, but either way, it's normal.
7. On top of that, your spouse's brother-in-law and partner hired you, and it's important to consider their needs too. They might have seen your previous resume and have high expectations of you, and there might be a gap between what they expect and what's actually possible.
8. "I made a relatively big mistake, and now I have to keep digesting their criticism of me!"
It can be really tough when you're in a work relationship where you're not related. If you've made such a big mistake, it's important to accept the corresponding punishment according to company rules and standards. Then, you can take the initiative to accept it. If you're fired, you might as well resign.
They keep saying you're bad because they think they're giving you special treatment. You have two options here: you can either accept the special treatment they think you're getting and keep doing your job while mentally preparing yourself to accept the fact that they're saying these things about you, or you can choose not to accept it and leave if you have to.
9. "Deep down, I really hope that we can have mutual respect." Just as you said, a lot of the time respect is mutual. In fact, you don't like their sense of consciousness, and others can sense that they are not being respected, so they will most likely not respect you, and it doesn't even matter whether you make a mistake or not.
10. "You're absolutely right! The underlying logic of your own dissatisfaction with yourself has led to the situation you are in now."
I think I understand why you're feeling unsatisfied with yourself. It seems like you're asking for too much, which is totally understandable! You want to maintain your previous income level while also having the time and energy to take care of your family. This kind of dissatisfaction is not objective and should be corrected.
11. "The result is that he won't recognize me either and he suppresses me just the same." It's so important to distinguish between expressing one's views, having different views, and being suppressed.
If he just expresses his views and doesn't understand that your complaints are just for comfort and empathy, you can gently let him know that sometimes men's emotions are not as delicate as they could be. They will only discuss things relatively rationally, with relatively little emotional thinking. You can even teach him, haha!
It's also super important to communicate well in all your relationships, including with your family. The goal of communication is to find a way to bridge the differences between you and your partner so you can both feel heard and respected. It's totally normal to feel like your needs aren't being met when it comes to emotional support and empathy.
12. "When you're overwhelmed with negative energy, you want to quit, but you can't because you're family." I just want to make two points. One is that whether or not to quit shouldn't be influenced by negative energy or emotions. It should be based on a rational analysis of input and output, and a decision based on the cost and benefit. The other point is that you can't leave because you're family. You should think clearly about what you want, what kind of job you want, and whether you can find a suitable alternative job if you leave. Even if the salary in the other job may be lower, but if you're mentally relaxed and happy, isn't that great?
The hostess's mood affects the state of the whole family. Try every means to make yourself happy and don't let yourself be aggrieved. You have been aggrieved and repressed yourself all this time, and it will eventually erupt. Fighting with your loved one is a manifestation of this eruption.
Life is short, so make it easier on yourself! Get to the heart of the matter, don't dwell on it, and be happy for yourself. That will make the whole family happy, and that's a very valuable thing!
Comments
I understand where you're coming from. It's tough transitioning into a different role within the family and feeling like you're not being valued for who you are. The expectations placed on you by your partner's family can feel overwhelming, especially when they don't align with your own values or selfworth.
It sounds like you're caught in a challenging dynamic. You've had this impressive past as a manager, and now facing these new family dynamics must feel like a step back. It's frustrating when you try to meet their standards but still feel misunderstood and criticized.
The situation seems really complex. On one hand, you want to respect your partner's family, but on the other hand, you have your own feelings and boundaries. It's hard when those two things clash, and it feels like no matter what you do, it's not enough for them.
You've put yourself out there to fit into this new family environment, yet it seems like your efforts aren't recognized. It's disheartening when you're trying so hard to be accepting and accommodating, only to face criticism and misinterpretations of your actions.
Balancing your personal identity with the expectations of your partner's family is a delicate act. It's clear that you're making an effort, but it's also important for your voice and feelings to be acknowledged. When you're not heard, it can lead to a buildup of frustration and hurt.