Entering the pit of Vipers - wish me luck

20 years growing up with high maintenance control freaks, 20 years in an abusive marraige, 2 years in therapy to find out what went wrong, 5 years of antidepressants, 3 years of peace. Now I am going to another Province for a niece's wedding and I will be trapped with "THE FAMILY!!!!" I am just crossing my fingers that I have learned enough to not get sucked up in the drama and act like the sponge for everyones junk (like I used to). I beleive I will do well in most cases but I need my you guys, my peeps, to rally me on. Has anyone changed their family situation and survived??!! Wish me luck: I'm going in!

))))))) ) )almost angela( ((((((((((( families, oy veyeou meous,
I have yet to be able to stick to my plans to survive as I go limbic before I even get there. Write yourself survival clue notes and stick them in your clothes so you might find them when you need them????? Take walks, wear earphones, call friends back home to remember who you are....... Good Luck!

"Go limbic"!!! -- that's hilarious! Good advice, too, I think!

Go for it, aa--we gotcha back!

DJ

Good luck almostangela. Tell yourself it is 'only' for a short while (e.g. countdown - only 5 hours left, only 3 hours...) then you'll have your peace and quiet! You could let your mind roam so you are not 'physically' there (things you need to do, visualise places you'd rather be etc.). and try to avoid being cornered (excuse yourself becauser you need the bathroom, or you've just seen someone you haven't spoken to for ages). Anyway, hope it all goes well.

((((((AlmostAngela))))))))

EEEEEEKK!!!!

I hope while you're there you can hear all of us cheering you on. Put your game face on-get in and then get out again as quickly as possible. Good luck!!

G'luck and remember why you are there...and....screw them all, LOL!!!! Have FUN!!!!!!!!!! you deserve it!!! hugs, Lisa

Thanks for the support everyone. I did well. The anticipation of what could go wrong was worse than the actual situation. I stayed away from the worst offenders and when things got rough, I turned around and went to the dance floor. I stood up for myself and I especially stood up for others when the abusers got nasty. (its easier to stand up for others). Therapy works. Thanks again, my peeps.

Happy Birthday AlmostAngela!!!!

Yes, I've had to learn to unsponge myself as well. My Mom is a junkie and always calls me telling me this, asking me for that, cursing me when I don't allow her to win. It's difficult to not get sucked in, but it is possuble, and believe me after their anger they will realize how right you were to mind your own business.....good luck.