Hello, question asker! I'm Jiang 61.
First of all, thank you for trusting us and being willing to talk about your worries in order to get help. It can be challenging when family members compare us to others, and their words can sometimes have hidden meanings. It's natural to feel like you're not being seen or heard in their eyes.
It can be difficult to understand why this is happening, and it can be distressing. I'm here to support you and offer you a hug. Don't be sad. Your parents may not fully understand your situation, but we do, and we're here to provide you with support and strength.
If I may, I would like to offer my perspective on the situation.
1. Family
1. Parents
? Comparison
You say, "My family always compares me to others. My mother also talks behind my back. My father always thinks he is right about everything. My mother, on the other hand, never bothered to control me. When I talk to her, she just goes along with whatever I say. So, I have almost zero communication with my parents."
It might be helpful to consider how you are similar to and different from others.
It seems that family members enjoy comparing you to others and hearing about what others think. My mother tends to speak negatively about you in front of other people and positively about others.
It can feel as though others are saying that you are not as good as they are at school, when in fact they are just saying that you are not as good as they are.
It can be challenging when a mother is not fully present and attentive, especially when it feels like her attention is perfunctory.
It can often seem as though your mother doesn't pay much attention to you, especially when she compares you with others without regard for the facts or your psychological well-being. When you communicate with your mother, you may feel that she is perfunctory.
? The father tends to be quite dominant and often believes he is right.
Her father tends to be quite dominant and is inclined to believe that he is always right. If she chooses not to communicate with him, he may become frustrated and resort to expressing his anger through swearing.
Personality
Mothers with a Compliant + Calm personality
A pleasing personality is one that is inclined to please others without fully considering one's own feelings. The essence of pleasing is that others are of greater importance. I feel most secure and loved when I am able to make others feel comfortable.
It seems that your mother may be inclined to prioritize the opinions and actions of others over your own feelings.
A calm personality is likely to display the following characteristics:
Characteristics: slow and deliberate, cautious, gentle and stable, and seeking harmony.
On the positive side, they are easy to get along with, adaptable, thoughtful, and tolerant.
Some potential areas for improvement could be in the areas of speed and efficiency, willingness to admit mistakes, communication, and engagement with others.
You mentioned the word "indifference" when it comes to your mother. While your feelings may not be entirely accurate, they do seem to align with your mother's personality: she is indifferent to her family. I believe you have mentioned on numerous occasions how they ignore you after they have heard you out, which must be a difficult situation for you.
It seems that you feel a lack of warmth from those you love, rather than a sense of indifference.
It seems that your father may have a controlling and aggressive personality.
It might be helpful to consider that a dominant father who will not let you ignore him could be seen as a controlling and aggressive personality. It's possible that controlling people want others to respect them, listen to their opinions, and not have their own ideas, otherwise they become irritable.
A radical personality may be characterized by the following traits:
Characteristics: a strong will, an action-oriented approach, high energy, and a focus on achievement.
Strengths: displays courage and decisiveness, demonstrates resilience in the face of challenges, highly self-disciplined.
Some potential areas for improvement could be:
- Being more patient
- Showing more empathy
- Being less stubborn
- Being more open to other perspectives
- Being more humble
It is worth noting that the father may place a particular emphasis on maintaining a positive public image. This could manifest as a tendency to prioritize achievements over personal relationships.
It's possible that he may not show you sympathy because he himself lacks compassion. He may come across as stubborn, and perhaps even tramples on your dignity. It's also possible that he's arrogant. In fact, he may be insecure and want to be recognized and feel secure with you.
2. You
Personality
People with a pleasing and melancholy personality may find themselves in a situation where they are dissatisfied with their parents, yet reluctant to engage in direct conflict with them. They may choose to tolerate their parents' actions, avoid confrontation, and seek a peaceful resolution.
The compliant type of you may find that it makes you feel bad, twists your mind, and causes you to doubt yourself, as you take care of your parents' emotions.
It would be beneficial to consider that people with a depressive personality may have:
Characteristics: thoughtful, highly sensitive, idealistic, and in pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Your strengths include being delicate and perceptive, loyal and reliable, and talented and insightful.
Some potential challenges to consider include tendencies towards stubbornness, indecisiveness, self-centeredness, pessimism, and passivity.
It seems that you are sensitive to your parents' attitude towards you. You appear to be self-centered and your ingratiating personality is slightly higher than others'. It seems that you tolerate and avoid conflicts, especially with your father, who is irritable and angry. It seems that you cannot experience your parents' love, but you are anxious and angry inside.
You feel that you have been seriously hurt, both physically and mentally. Your pessimism and passivity, as well as your anxiety and restlessness, have led you to doubt yourself, experience feelings of sadness daily, and have trouble sleeping. Sometimes you cry in your dreams, but your parents don't think this is a big deal.
It seems that your personality is characterized by a certain degree of servility and melancholy. This may be a reflection of your longing for your parents' love, attention, and recognition, and a lack of satisfaction in your sense of security. These feelings could potentially lead to feelings of self-pity and a tendency to seek comfort through tears.
2. Causes
1. The influence of the original family
I believe that your mother may have grown up in a family where comparisons were the norm, and that she may have developed her self-confidence through comparison. It's possible that her way of coping with family life involved complimenting others.
I believe the reason why your parents behave in this way towards you is because of the way they were brought up in their own family. It seems possible that your mother grew up in a family where comparisons were a common occurrence, and that she may have developed her sense of self-confidence through comparison with her classmates, siblings, and friends.
It seems that her way of life has been passed on to you. Complimenting others might also be a way for her to cope with family life and gain the attention and peace of mind she seeks.
Father
It seems that his father lived in a family where there was a lot of shouting and arguing, and it was a very one-sided household. It's possible that he didn't know who was in charge in the family, and it seems that there was no room for different opinions, otherwise he would have been scolded and beaten. It's possible that he also inherited this lifestyle. In his communication with you, if things don't go his way, he may lash out and use shouting and scolding to solve problems.
2. Unfulfilled wishes
It's also worth noting that parents may compare you to others because they had some unfulfilled wishes in their childhood. They may hope that you will fulfill those unfulfilled wishes for them. This can lead to reminders in the form of comparisons that you have not yet achieved.
3. The cause of inferiority
From an objective standpoint, it could be perceived that pleasing others is a manifestation of low self-esteem. It may be the case that they don't believe they can live a better life on their own, and so they seek to please and appease others in order to feel at peace.
It may be the case that pleasing others is a sign of a lack of self-confidence and an inability to resolve conflicts. It is possible that they can only satisfy others by putting themselves in a difficult position, thus avoiding conflict.
It may also be the case that being dominant and controlling others is a sign of a lack of self-confidence and insecurity. They may not believe that you can accept his opinions with conviction using good communication skills. They may be afraid that you will get away from his control, so they may use high-handed tactics in the hope of intimidating you and making you submit to them.
3. How might one respond?
1. It would be beneficial to establish a sense of security.
A sense of security can be defined as a feeling of protection from potential physical or psychological harm, including a sense of empowerment or vulnerability when facing challenges, and a sense of assurance and control over one's surroundings.
If I might suggest, since your parents lack a sense of security, you could help them feel secure.
It would be beneficial to listen carefully.
It would be beneficial to listen carefully and try to understand the concerns behind your father's words. You might consider letting your father know that you respect him and understand how he feels, which could help him to let go of his uneasy feelings.
If they feel secure, it is likely that they will not lose their temper.
It would be beneficial to set clear boundaries.
Once you have communicated well with your father and expressed your understanding for him, you may wish to consider continuing to express your true thoughts, show that you have grown up, have your own thoughts, and hope that your father respects his own thoughts. You could also clarify boundaries and responsibilities with your father and hope for what situations you want his help.
It would be beneficial to show love and gratitude.
Love has the power to resolve any conflict, alleviate any worry, and ease any anxiety.
It is important to express your love and gratitude to your parents as often as possible. One reason parents may lack a sense of security is that they may have lacked feedback of love during their growth, such as thank yous, hugs, and other loving gestures.
This can make them feel insecure. However, when you show affection, they will immediately realize that you are not distracted from them and they will stop worrying. They will take you more seriously.
2. Consider ways to enhance your resilience.
It might be helpful to accept your own imperfections.
It is important to recognize that past behaviors may have been influenced by a lack of maturity. Accepting this and embracing your own imperfections is an essential step towards growth. Acknowledging that there are still areas where you can improve and committing to working hard and developing yourself is crucial. Seeking guidance and support from your parents can also be beneficial in this journey.
Perhaps it would be helpful to try not to be controlled by the past, and to break free from its shadow.
It would be beneficial to boost self-confidence.
It may be the case that being controlled by others and being unhappy after being compared stems from not being strong enough within oneself. It is therefore possible that one cannot escape from control, nor can one escape from comparison.
I believe that I will be able to say, "You say what you want, I'll do what I want," only when I am strong and know what kind of person I am. I hope that my thoughts will not be controlled or manipulated by you, and I hope that I will not be afraid of being compared.
If I might make a suggestion, it would be to be brave and be yourself.
If I might humbly offer my perspective, I believe that when it comes to boundaries, the foundation of being yourself is having clear boundaries. It is important to recognize that your responsibilities are yours alone, and they do not necessarily extend to others.
I take responsibility for my actions and will not be unduly influenced by others, including those who may cross boundaries by comparing me to others or attempting to exert control. At the same time, I am willing to express my stance on those who cross boundaries. This is an expression of my true self.
3. Confidence in yourself
You are the best, believe that.
It is not helpful to engage in comparisons with others. Instead, focus on your own progress and believe that you are getting better with each day.
You have the potential to be the best.
It might be helpful to believe in your own abilities.
One might suggest that losing in a comparison is often the result of a lack of belief in one's abilities, which can extend to the belief that one's parents also lack confidence in those abilities. However, when one has the opportunity to improve their abilities through learning, summarizing, and practicing, confidence can be gained, and the knowledge that one is capable of achieving the required level with their abilities can be attained. This can lead to a shift in perspective, where comparisons with others become less significant.
4. Consider reassuring your parents.
Once you have developed sufficient confidence and abilities, you may wish to consider sharing your thoughts with your parents. This could help to reassure them and give them confidence in your abilities to achieve your goals.
Perhaps it would be helpful for them to stop worrying about themselves, comparing themselves to others, and hurting their self-esteem.
I would like to suggest that you consider being brave and being yourself as a way of moving forward on a path that suits you, without being disturbed by others. I also wish you courage in taking this step.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you well in your endeavours and hope that you will make progress.
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling unseen and undervalued by my parents. It's like no matter what I do, it's never enough for them. They always seem to find someone else who's doing better. It's so hard to feel good about myself when they're constantly pointing out my shortcomings.
It's heartbreaking that your mom and dad don't see the person you are. I wish they could understand how much their words hurt. Everyone has their own path and pace, and it's frustrating when they only focus on others' achievements instead of yours.
I'm really sorry you're going through this. It sounds like a lot of pain and pressure. Maybe it's time to seek support outside the family, like talking to a counselor or a trusted friend. Sometimes an outsider's perspective can help us feel less alone.
The way your parents treat you is not okay. No one should have to feel like they're nothing. Have you considered expressing your feelings to them in a calm and clear way? Sometimes parents need to be reminded of the impact their actions have on us.
Feeling this way is incredibly tough, especially when it affects your mental health. It's important to take care of yourself and seek professional help if you haven't already. Your wellbeing matters, and there are people who can support you through this.