Hello, topic starter! I'm sending you a virtual hug, too.
I've also experienced something similar to what you've described. The difference is that your mother will blame and deny you, while my parents always encouraged me to study and improve. They always reminded me that if I didn't advance, I would fall behind. Even though I've been working for many years, they still demand the same of me. Growing up in such an anxious and tense atmosphere, even as an adult, it's not easy to chat with them (no matter what the topic is). My body and nerves involuntarily tense up.
At first, I did what you did, which was to live alone with my husband in Beijing. I didn't go back to my hometown for a long time, which gave me a rare sense of peace. I just called my parents every once in a while, and I felt a bit tired after each call. In short, being with my parents was not relaxing.
When I think back to my husband, I feel really relaxed around him. He was my university classmate, and although he wasn't as academic as I was, he's a spontaneous, open-minded, laid-back person. He doesn't stress about grades, performance, success, or the meaning of life. He also takes life seriously and loves it. He just loves life and work naturally and without worrying too much.
I think you prefer being with your husband because he's more relaxed and you don't have to worry about him criticizing or rejecting you, which makes you feel more at ease. So first of all, I want to congratulate you on meeting a good husband. A good marriage can heal people, and it seems that you've met one.
If we think about the existence of such people, can we take a deep breath and feel that we are not that miserable and bad? We are not alone in this struggle, but we have love for our loved ones. We have resources to rely on to solve problems in life. Our loved ones are our resources. We can share our hearts when we are in a bad mood without worrying about being blamed.
Once you've had a chance to calm down, you can start thinking about how to handle your relationship with your parents. After all, they're your parents, and if you can't get past the issues you have with them, you might never be truly at peace.
I noticed you said that the warmth between you is gone. This is a very important piece of information. It means that: 1. You and your mother were once very close. This means that the foundation of your relationship is good. As long as you find the right way in the future, there's a good chance you can restore the warmth. We must have confidence. Once we are about to waver, when we can't hold on anymore, we can recall those beautiful times with our mothers and continue moving forward. 2. There must be a reason that has caused the warmth to disappear.
In this world, there's always a reason behind love and hatred. We just need to find out what that reason is.
The warmth disappeared after graduation from university. This is a very special moment. What happened at home that made your mother change so much? We can look at this from a few different angles:
Can you tell me what was going on at home at the time? Did your parents keep anything from you?
I don't see you mention your father. Could you ask your father or other relatives in the family or your mother's close friends?
Sometimes, special life events can also affect people. These events have caused your mother stress, anxiety, and even fear. Perhaps your mother is very strong-willed and is unwilling to share her feelings with you. She is suppressing her feelings inside, and after a long time of suppression, she will express them in various negative emotions. In fact, these are all signals from people asking for help.
Can you tell me how old your mother was when you graduated from university? And how is her physical condition, and how often does she have a medical check-up?
When was your last physical? What were the results?
How's her sleep? How's her diet?
Is her daily routine regular? Apart from your mood swings, how are her relationships with other people? Have they changed at all?
As a woman gets older, her body goes through some big changes, especially during menopause, when hormone levels drop a lot, which can cause a lot of physical and mental discomfort. I used to only hear about menopause syndrome. Later, I experienced something similar to a sharp drop in hormone levels (I'm 36). At 33, I had IVF and took hormone-lowering injections to quickly lower my hormone levels. This is a technical treatment, and I won't go into the details. I experienced the menopausal reaction in advance, and it was really unbearable. My body ached, I felt weak and faint, I sweated, and my mood was sometimes irritable and sometimes low.
I'd recommend keeping an eye on your mother's physical condition, as these changes can affect her mood.
Does your mother approve of your career or marriage choices? It's possible that she didn't approve of your career choice since this happened after you graduated from university and were about to start working.
Since you're getting married and moving away soon, does she disapprove of your spouse or the fact that you'll be moving away?
If this applies to you, you can try to talk to your mother about her concerns, be open and honest with her, and clarify your current work and marital status to reassure her. This may mean you need to call (from a different location) or meet in person every once in a while to chat about how your work is going and how your daily life is going.
It's important to avoid letting her keep guessing. When we guess, we often think irrationally, which can lead to conflict.
Once you've graduated from university, you'll start a family and build a career, becoming completely independent. You used to rely on each other, but now she can only watch your back. Perhaps your mother has been full of worry, loss and helplessness from that time on, but strong-willed mothers won't show these emotions. Instead, they'll express them in a critical and instructive manner, trying to prove that they're still valuable and needed by their children.
If we push them away, they'll feel even more worried, sad, and helpless. They'll show their discontent, accusations, or advice more often because they're afraid we're really going to leave and abandon them.
Once I had figured all of this out, I made an effort to improve my relationship with my parents. As I was living far away, I often called to "report" on my current situation and ask about theirs. Since my child was young, I asked my mother to help take care of my child as an excuse to invite her to Beijing. In fact, the family already had an ayi and a husband, so they didn't need my mother, but I still used this method to maintain a psychological connection with her.
I hope you and your mother can reconcile soon and get back to a good place. I wish you peace of mind and love!
I hope you find peace of mind and love!
Comments
I can relate to how painful this situation must be for you. It seems like the relationship with your mother has become a source of stress rather than comfort. Maybe it's time to have an open and honest conversation with her, sharing how her criticisms affect you and seeking mutual understanding.
Considering the emotional toll this relationship takes on you, it might help to establish clearer boundaries when interacting with your mother. Boundaries can provide a protective space that allows you to feel less vulnerable during your interactions.
It sounds like reconnecting with your mother in a healthy way is important to you. Perhaps engaging a family therapist could offer both of you a safe environment to express your feelings and work towards healing the wounds between you.
The distance from your parents did not bring the peace you hoped for, which is understandable. Sometimes, addressing the root cause of the conflict can lead to resolution. You might find it helpful to reflect on what started the arguments and consider if there are any unresolved issues that need to be addressed.
Your feelings are valid, and it's okay to acknowledge that the relationship with your mother is challenging. Seeking support from friends, a support group, or a counselor can provide you with strategies to cope with the stress and potentially improve your relationship with your mother.