Hello, I'm Xin Tan, and I'm here to listen to you with warmth and sincerity. My name is Fei Yun, and I'm your coach.
I totally get it. This whole thing has really knocked you for a loop. When you found out that your mom was ashamed of her work and that it was even frowned upon by society, I can imagine it must have felt pretty devastating.
It's totally understandable to feel sad and upset about your mother's choices. It's natural to feel ashamed and disgraced by what she did. It's also normal to feel ashamed that you couldn't help your mother escape. It's okay to feel worried and afraid that the people around you, especially your teachers, classmates, and friends, will find out about your mother's occupation. It's a big deal to worry about your personal reputation and future.
It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed by all these complex emotions. It's hard to accept the situation and put your mind at ease when you're feeling this way.
Let's give you a warm hug and take a look at this problem that's troubling you, my friend.
?1. Mom's Choice
All of these feelings come from how you see your mom's work. It's totally normal to feel this way!
Everyone sees things differently, based on their own outlook on life, values, and feelings. This is judgment. Having a judgment represents a certain direction of guidance. For example, something that the public cannot accept is most likely defined by us as unreasonable.
Similarly, having judgments also produces fixed obsessions (or prejudices), which can damage relationships and make things rigid. It's so easy to get caught up in our limited beliefs, which prevent us from seeing the truth of more problems.
It doesn't matter what choices you make or what career you choose, this is something your mom will always be involved in. Her marriage, her emotional state, etc. are none of your business, sweetheart.
It's important to remember that your mother is a person, too, and that her actions don't define who she is.
It might help to look at her choices from her perspective. We all make choices based on our outlook on life and values. And it's possible that your mother is facing some challenges or has her own reasons for doing what she's doing.
There's a difference between right and wrong behavior, but the motives behind it are always good. Find the right time to talk to your mom and ask her about her upbringing and how she felt with your dad.
I really hope this book, "The Power of Self-Healing through Writing," will be helpful to you. It teaches us how to understand our parents, our loved ones, and our children.
Looking at things from different points of view will help you understand the truth of the matter more clearly, which will give you more options.
2. Your emotions
It's totally normal to feel a range of emotions when it comes to your mom's job and actions. On one hand, you love and respect her, and on the other, you might have some concerns. It's okay to have a mix of feelings! Every child has a special bond with their mom, and your feelings are valid.
But the reality is that your mother has done things that you cannot accept, and this has really hurt your feelings. It's natural to have this kind of reaction, especially when it goes against the image you have of your mother.
Mothers are also individuals first and mothers second. It's totally okay to accept that your parents aren't perfect. In fact, doing so can help you let go of your inner doubts, denials, and rejections.
On the other hand, it's also because you haven't yet achieved psychological separation from your parents.
Our physical separation from our mothers is achieved by cutting the umbilical cord. But our psychological separation is a different story! It requires you to assert your independence and autonomy, to be your own significant other, and to provide yourself with the psychological nourishment you need to grow up healthy in body and mind.
When we were young, our parents were our everything. They gave us unconditional acceptance, a sense of security, and so much more. They helped us learn to love, to connect with others, to be secure, independent, and to know our worth.
Now, in your third year of university, you are an adult with your own life issues. It's time to achieve a psychological separation from your parents and take responsibility for your own life.
I know it can be tough, but try to remember that despite what has happened, it must have had a certain psychological impact on you. It would be great if your mother could accept your good advice, but if she can't, just show her respect. After all, she is responsible for her own life, and the world of adults is full of temptations and also a lot of helplessness.
You've got this! These things shouldn't affect your confidence in yourself. A confident person is full of confidence in themselves as a person, and they are also full of confidence in the future.
You should never doubt or deny yourself because of what you've done or haven't done. And don't forget what others have done, too.
I really hope this helps you, and I just want to say that I love you and the world loves you too! ??
If you'd like to keep chatting, just click 'Find a coach' in the top right or bottom corner. I'd love to keep in touch and see how we can support each other!
Comments
I understand your concerns and it's really tough to find the right words. Maybe you should start by expressing your love and worry for her health, not criticizing her choices.
It sounds like you're in a difficult spot. It might be better to approach this conversation with empathy rather than trying to persuade her outright. Share your feelings openly and listen to her side too.
This is a sensitive situation. Consider seeking professional advice from a counselor who can provide guidance on how to communicate effectively without causing harm or distress.
You're feeling conflicted and that's understandable. Instead of persuading or threatening, perhaps focus on educating yourself more about the risks and share factual information with her calmly.
Facing this challenge now shows great courage. You could tell her you want to discuss something important regarding family health and safety, emphasizing that you're coming from a place of care.