I understand loneliness, but personally I would rather be lonely than be abused in that way. I have cut many so-called family and friends from my life for that very reason. I understand that it's slightly different as it's your mother, but she's not going to respect you until you respect yourself by enforcing strict boundaries. And putting up with her abuse because you have no one else to talk to isn't respecting yourself. Her criticism is a reflection of her issues, not yours, but she's not going to change until you make her. You need to channel your pain into building a life for yourself where you realise you are better than having to put up with that.

You've had many suggestions in the past about things you could do to meet other people, but what do you think will work for you? What can you do in the next day, week, month and year to reduce your loneliness?



*Willow*