Hi, I'm Li Di. Thanks for chatting with me.
After reading the original poster's description several times, I realized that while I empathize with Li Feifei's upbringing in the book, I also envy it a lot. Empathy is wanting to be as powerful as Feifei's parents, to be able to respect my child and give him/her more support. Envy, on the other hand, makes me think of my own parents. I long for my parents to respect and support me more, especially when it comes to choosing a university. My mother's decision seems to have set your life in stone. Although you are now able to live your own life, it has become a source of regret for you. You want to let go by understanding her and empathizing with her, but you also find that once certain situations arise, you want to distance yourself from them, or you will be speechless and feel uncomfortable. You accept your emotions and want to communicate with your mother well, to let her know that you are very good and have the opportunity to go to a 985/211 university. You want your mother to understand how her own way of doing things has affected you, and to give you a hug. This is indeed very difficult, because I can see that you have been thinking about and growing as a person, and you are also trying to communicate with your mother gently, but it is not as we would like.
So let's dive in and look at the underlying psychological reasons behind your feelings and needs. This will help us understand and accept yourself better.
The experiences and emotions you describe actually reflect several key psychological concepts, such as family dynamics, intergenerational communication, and the development of self-identity.
First of all, the family pressures and expectations you mention are pretty common in family systems. In a family system, the actions and beliefs of each member influence one another.
Your mother's advice might be based on her own values and life experience, which could lead to some misunderstandings and conflicts. She might be motivated by a desire for security and stability, especially during economically difficult times.
In this situation, she may be more inclined to stick to traditional views that place a higher value on a stable career than on pursuing personal interests. However, this approach may not align with your personal wishes and career ambitions, which could lead to frustration in terms of self-realization.
Secondly, you're facing a common intergenerational communication challenge. You want the freedom to chart your own course, while your mother may be set on her perspective, creating a rift between you.
In psychology, this is called a "generation gap." It's when there are differences in values, beliefs, and expectations between two people. You might feel misunderstood, and your mother might feel confused because she doesn't understand why her advice isn't good enough for you.
On top of that, your feelings show how you're developing your sense of self. It's normal and part of the process of forming your identity to feel disappointed about your unfulfilled dreams.
Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory says that one of the main things teenagers and young adults need to do is figure out who they are. When you feel like you don't have many options, it can make it harder to do this, and you might end up feeling unhappy and frustrated.
You might be rethinking your career path and trying to make up for lost opportunities.
So, when you're dealing with these emotions, you might want to think about taking the following steps:
Self-acceptance – Accept your feelings and realize that they are part of your personal history, but they don't define you entirely. Your worth and potential extend beyond past decisions.
Boundary setting – Learn to set healthy boundaries to protect yourself from negative emotions. This means maintaining a distance in interactions with your mother to avoid being affected by her PUA-style communication.
It's important to communicate in a positive way. Instead of saying "you" statements that are accusatory, try using "I" statements. For example, instead of saying "you are limiting my options," say "I feel frustrated because I feel my options are limited."
If you can, find a counselor who can give you a professional perspective and strategies for dealing with these complex emotions.
Self-growth – By focusing on your own development, whether through further education, career advancement, or personal interests, you can take control of your life and move towards your goals.
Forgiveness and release – Forgiveness may help you let go of those heavy emotional burdens. This is not about your mother, but about your own inner peace.
Of course, this is a long process that requires time and patience. The good news is that self-growth is a continuous process, and every step is a big step forward.
You can always start over, whether that means further education, a new job, or other forms of self-improvement. Believe in your ability to create the life you want, a life that is not affected by the past.
Go for it! You've already got this!
I hope my answer has been helpful. Have a great day!


Comments
I can really relate to your feelings about Li Feifei's story. It's inspiring how her family, despite their hardships, supported her in pursuing what truly mattered to her. It brings up a lot of mixed emotions for me because my parents always pushed me towards stability rather than passion. I often wonder how different things could have been if they had encouraged me like Li Feifei's parents did.
It's hard to shake off those old feelings of resentment. Even though I try to maintain a good relationship with my parents now, certain conversations bring back all the frustration. I wish I could find a way to express these feelings without making them feel guilty or defensive. Maybe it's time to focus on creating a different future for my own children, ensuring they feel supported in whatever path they choose.
Reflecting on this, I realize how much I want to break the cycle. My parents' intentions were good, but their approach was limiting. Now that I'm older, I understand their pressures and anxieties, yet it doesn't erase the impact their choices had on me. I hope by acknowledging these past experiences, I can foster a more open and supportive environment for myself and my kids, learning from the lessons of both Li Feifei's story and my own journey.