I think maybe I have something in common with you mcl that I tend to give too much credit to what t knows. If my t said "surviving" like yours did, I'd probably also feel a offended, though I'm not sure I'd have confidence to say anything. I think it's good you expressed yourself but I also think your t can easily be slightly off or just totally misunderstanding, so maybe try not to take him too seriously (I know it's hard to know when) and try not to let yourself feel too hurt by it. Like what Sunrise suggested- try explaining how you felt in a more detached way. You might find out there was some reason he thought you were only "surviving" and that would hurt a little, but I think more likely both you and your t would realize it was a misunderstanding of each other and you'd get to know each other better. Even if it did turn out there was some reason he meant "surviving" the way you took it (I doubt it), maybe there would be something you could learn from it. Maybe you'd learn your t isn't understanding you yet based on what you've communicated before and you might not be able to clear it up right away but I think it's okay to give him a little leeway to misunderstand. (I struggle over how much leeway.)