Dear colleagues in psychology,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am a psychological counselor, Sunny, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with you on the Yi Xinli platform.
I am grateful for the opportunity to address the question, "How does someone who is not recognized adjust themselves and get out of their original family?" From the question's title, it is evident that the questioner has a clear awareness of themselves, which has led them to identify key words such as "not recognized," "original family," and "adjust/change."
It can be posited that upon the discovery and subsequent awareness of the problem, one is already on the path to change. As the adage states, "awareness is the prerequisite for change." When one considers the fact that the questioner is studying psychology and has learned more about herself, it can be surmised that change is inevitable.
In response to the topic raised by the original poster, I would like to present my thoughts and ideas for the original poster's consideration.
Let us first delineate the particular circumstances described by the original poster and then proceed to interpret and analyze them.
Due to my lack of academic excellence, I was unable to meet my family's standards for evaluating children as outstanding. My family engaged in comparisons with others, which led me to experience feelings of being unappreciated, untrusted, and unloved unconditionally from an early age.
— Academic performance is not outstanding, which is the situation of the vast majority of people. As for the unreasonable perceptions and evaluations of family members, such as comparison, disapproval, non-acceptance, distrust/conceit, and even suppression and belittlement, these can cause significant harm to the next generation of children. Such harm is often the result of the cognitive limitations of parents of the previous generation.
Subsequently, I sought to validate my actions through tangible results. Over time, I came to recognize the profound impact of my family of origin on my self-perception. The subtle yet pervasive influence of a culture of inadequacy, perfectionism, and self-doubt became evident.
It is possible that we continually strive to meet the expectations of our family, which can consume a significant amount of our mental energy. In order to "prove ourselves" or "cater to others," we may have lost sight of our true selves. Under the "teaching model" of our family, we may have developed patterns such as "self-denial," "imperfection," and "lack of confidence/low self-esteem."
It is important to acknowledge that the original family will inevitably exert some influence on us, but this influence is ultimately limited. Just as the original poster has now begun to "save" themselves through psychology, I believe that as long as they are willing to make changes and put them into practice, they will "step by step" become themselves!
Despite my studies in psychology, I have not yet fully resolved the issues I have identified.
Some influences are deeply embedded in my psyche, causing me significant distress. I am also striving to identify strategies for continued personal growth.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the original poster for their self-awakening, which makes change inevitable. When individuals become more and more aware of themselves, understand themselves, discover where their problems lie, become aware of the "truth" behind the pain, and find a method that suits them, then things will be different.
The relationship with my parents is also a topic of discussion. They did not provide me with substantial emotional support during my formative years. My mother is a strong-willed individual, and our personalities and ways of thinking are significantly divergent, resulting in frequent disagreements.
It is important to recognise that everyone is an independent individual. When faced with a mother who is overly dominant or controlling, it is the mother's responsibility to address her own issues. The person who is affected by this dynamic can take steps to separate themselves from the problem by taking back control of their own life. This may involve learning to care for themselves, expressing themselves authentically, and learning to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
Subsequent to my growth and learning, I have contemplated enhancing my relationship with her. However, she has not altered her behavior, and it is challenging for her to do so. She continues to exert a detrimental influence on me. She functions as an "emotional switch," whereby I become enmeshed in her emotional state whenever I become intimately involved with her.
Indeed, relationships serve as a mirror, enabling us to discern our own inner perceptions and behavioral patterns. To illustrate, when she lacks the capacity to regulate her emotions, she may influence others when she is in a negative mood. In the absence of self-awareness regarding this issue, we may find ourselves ensnared or misled. Consequently, the foundation for not being affected by others' emotions is the constant awareness that this is her emotional challenge and that she needs to address it independently. This establishes the "boundary of the relationship."
Those in my immediate circle counsel me to communicate with her less and to refrain from concerning myself with her subsequent anger. I am compelled to adhere to my own decision and pursue employment in a major urban center, where I can more effectively embody my authentic self and insulate myself from the influence of my family.
Furthermore, I wish to live my own life.
In reality, there are indeed situations where both parties experience suffering when there is a "lack of mutual understanding," particularly when there is no effective communication. In fact, in interpersonal interactions, including those with family members, there is one key concept that we must continually learn: "effective communication." I wonder if the questioner has read the most classic text on the subject of "Nonviolent Communication." In addition to being able to truly express one's inner thoughts and feelings, it is also essential to express them effectively. For example, if the questioner has the idea of wanting to work far away, it would be beneficial to read it when it is convenient.
In response to the actual situation described by the questioner, it may be beneficial to consider a different approach.
Firstly, it is essential to accept the entirety of one's family of origin and to acknowledge the constraints of its impact on us.
[1] It is possible that many of us experience ambivalent feelings towards our original families, struggling to navigate our relationships with them. We may desire to distance ourselves but feel constrained, experiencing a sense of powerlessness. However, it is important to recognise that our original families will not determine the course of our entire lives. Moreover, the questioner has already engaged with the field of psychology.
2. Through the process of learning, individuals can gain an objective understanding of their original family and learn to navigate their relationships with them.
It may be posited that those who have experienced harm as a result of the parenting style of their parents are themselves victims of the broader social and cultural context in which they were raised. The parenting style of parents is shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including their own family dynamics, cultural norms, and the broader social environment.
When we ascribe culpability to our parents for all the harm we have suffered, we are effectively ascribing fault to the entire collective.
[3] It is important to accept that parents are, by their very nature, imperfect beings.
An objective view of the original family necessitates the rejection of idealized expectations of parental behavior and the recognition of unfulfilled wishes that may exceed our actual capacity to bear them.
Thus, recognizing the shortcomings of our parents is a crucial aspect of addressing the pain objectively. At some point, we will have to acknowledge that we are imperfect parents and confront the disappointment and anger of our children. We will also have to accept the reality that we will eventually become adults who often disappoint our children.
[4] The influence of the original family is constrained. While inevitable harm from the original family will be experienced, it is limited and remediable. Re-evaluating the original family is a necessary step for psychological growth and the "separation of issues."
Secondly, it is essential to undertake a comprehensive reevaluation of one's familial origins, learn to adapt one's self-perception, and gradually embrace one's authentic identity, thereby facilitating constructive transformation.
[1] It can be argued that as long as the possibility of change is acknowledged, the courage to extricate oneself from the hurt can be found.
For example, one can endeavor to reacquaint oneself with one's parents. This endeavor holds particular significance in that it allows for a more objective and expedient disengagement from the influence of one's original family. It is therefore recommended that one identify opportunities to engage in direct discourse with one's parents regarding their childhood and past experiences, and to solicit insights from other family members regarding the multifaceted aspects of one's parents' personalities. This approach can facilitate a more profound mutual understanding between the two generations.
[2] Adjust cognitive biases and actively identify positive attributes in one's parents. It is essential to cultivate a more constructive outlook towards one's parents.
It is only through such means that reconciliation with one's family can be achieved.
For example, one might consider whether, in everyday life, parents offer support and positive regard in addition to engaging in behaviors such as comparison, suppression, and blame.
[3] It is important to learn to distinguish between different issues.
To navigate interpersonal relationships, including those with parents and partners, it is essential to develop the ability to "separate issues." This entails discerning between one's own concerns and those of others. It is crucial to assume responsibility for one's own life issues and refrain from attributing the problems of others to oneself.
Those who have studied psychology are expected to be able to distinguish between different issues.
In essence, the direct consequence of the matter in question is the responsibility of the individual in question.
From another perspective, perfection is unattainable. However, individuals must assume responsibility for their decisions and accept the consequences of those decisions.
Indeed, the spiritual growth of psychologists represents a lifelong process of learning, self-exploration, and practice.
The following books are recommended for further reading: Parents Who Won't Grow Up, Parents Who Can't Earn a Living—How to End Family Trauma, Why Families Hurt, Beyond the Family of Origin, Inferiority Complex and Transcendence, and Don't Control Me with Love, among others. Additionally, one may engage in learning through interactions with fellow psychologists or pursue more in-depth discussions and consultations to facilitate personal growth.
In conclusion, this is my interpretation and response to the original poster's inquiry. It is my hope that it will provide inspiration and assistance. I extend my best wishes to my fellow psychology colleagues, encouraging them to embrace the belief that their future will become increasingly expansive. I wish them success and support.
The aforementioned conclusions can be summarized as follows:
I am a person of one heart and one mind. In this world, I love all things. ?
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling like you're not measuring up to family expectations. It's heartbreaking when the people who should love you unconditionally make you feel otherwise. The struggle to prove yourself and find selfworth is real, but it's encouraging that you're seeking growth and understanding through psychology.
It's tough growing up without the emotional support you deserve from your parents. I admire your efforts to improve the relationship with your mother despite the differences. Sometimes, no matter how much we try, others may not change, and learning to set boundaries becomes crucial for our own mental health.
Feeling engraved by past experiences can be debilitating. Yet, it's inspiring to see you fighting against those ingrained beliefs. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward breaking free from them. Keep going; your resilience will help you overcome more challenges.
The impact of our upbringing on our selfesteem and confidence cannot be underestimated. While it's painful to confront these issues, studying psychology has clearly been a valuable tool in your journey. Remember, healing takes time, and every small step counts towards becoming stronger.
Your decision to move to a big city for work shows courage and determination to carve out your own path. Creating distance can provide the space needed to heal and grow. Embrace this opportunity to focus on yourself and build the life you envision, free from familial pressures.