Good day, Didntaskforit!

I may have chosen my words better in one of my questions. I asked, “Can you imagine more appropriate responses?” The last thing you need here is more judgment; I should have used the phrase “effective responses,” effective in the sense of influencing your family to modify their behavior and attitudes toward you. I appreciate your own reply, “The right thing to do....” Thinking in black and white terms like “right” and “wrong” do have their place, but in trying to modify your own behavior – something I find exceptionally difficult, speaking in less value-laden terms like relative effectiveness may be more useful. I certainly don't seek to condemn or belittle you, and I wouldn't want to contribute to your judging yourself.

Regarding your sarcasm, I suspect - I don't really know – there's a part of the real you buried beneath it. My opinion is, in trying to effect self-change, it's better work with yourself than against yourself. Maybe you could try massaging or revising the way you use sarcasm so that it evokes interest and curiosity rather than adversarial reactions. Quick example: perhaps when someone says something that triggers your sarcasm response, you could try to make the first thing out of your mouth be a restatement of what that person said – that could buy you a few seconds to find a creative follow-on reply.

Regarding unsolicited advice from family: are they genuinely trying to help you, or are they putting you down? One way to sift out the one from the other is by politely and genuinely asking for hands-on help that demands time and effort from the person giving the advice. If they're genuine, they'll make time then or later to assist you. If not, they'll eventually stop the advice because they don't want to involve themselves with you more than they have to.

Those are a couple of quick thoughts. The very best of wishes to you!