Hi Fuzzybear. I'm not sure how well I'll do in responding to your post. I'll say that I see two topics in your post above. Regarding your parents and extended family, it makes me feel sad that they have done you harm. I will not ask for any further details, but will write that you seem to be a lovely person, so you have done yourself well by being the kind, giving, lovely person you are, despite everything else. I hope that that will provide you with some level of comfort and pride. I hope that you will find others in life that treat you well and with respect. Hopefully many are here at PC. We all also have our mental health support teams (let's all strive to get good ones), nature, maybe a pet, the fruits of our creativity, and other things/beings.

Do I ever feel like a "bad person" for expressing my opinions? Sure, but not most of the time. It's my personality to be outspoken. A blessing, but occasionally a curse when I do so in a poorly thought out or impulsive manner. [Bipolar sometimes exacerbates impulsivity.] But when I feel very justified, certain, and believe it's for the good (not bad intentions) I won't let myself feel bad. It can be very empowering to assertively express opinions. It can be very loving and generous to oneself, and others. Of course being assertive is slightly different than being aggressive. I can be aggressive, sometimes, too. That's definitely not always good, and can hurt others, and yet it isn't bad 100% of the time, either. It all depends on the situation, who/what you're dealing with, and whether or not it can be the most effective means to a positive result. I've had to apologize and pay the piper more times than I can remember for screw ups (and learn from mistakes). However, other times I could pride myself at being true (and again generous) to myself.