It wasn’t my ex’s smear campaign that broke me. It was my sister who believed it. That kind of betrayal doesn’t just sting, it scrapes something raw inside you. You’re standing there trying to make sense of what just happened, but all you can feel is that deep, nauseating twist in your gut. It’s not … Read more
The narcissistic family system wasn’t broken; it was designed exactly as intended, with you at the bottom holding everyone else up. I figured this out at 35, sitting on my couch, eight months pregnant, after learning my sister’s biggest betrayal that she consciously did. The golden child smiled. The enablers nodded. And I suddenly saw … Read more
I didn’t heal in therapy. I healed when I walked away from my dysfunctional and toxic family. For 6 months, I sat on couches across from a well-meaning therapist who taught me to “process” my mother’s cruelty and “understand” my sister’s betrayal. I learned fancy terms like “emotional dysregulation” and “trauma bonding.” I practiced breathing … Read more
When my cousin texted me, “Your mother is heartbroken and just wants her daughter back,” I knew exactly what game we were playing. This wasn’t a concern; it was a guilt missile, perfectly aimed and launched from someone who had no idea what really happened behind closed doors. But here’s what changed everything: I finally … Read more
One of the hardest parts about cutting off a toxic family isn’t the silence, it’s the annoying family members who won’t let you enjoy it. When I finally walked away from my narcissistic mother and sister, I thought the battle was over. I had no idea I’d spend the next three to four months defending … Read more
The guilt almost killed me more than the abuse itself, and that’s exactly what my narcissistic family was counting on. For eleven months after cutting off my family, I tortured myself with “what ifs” and “maybe I should try again” until I realized the guilt wasn’t love, it was the final chain keeping me trapped. … Read more
I used to manage my narcissistic mother’s emotions better than my own bank account. Now I run a successful business with my husband, and she still can’t regulate a conversation without screaming. Sad, if you were to ask me. For thirty years, I was the family’s emotional manager, apologizing for everyone’s outbursts, smoothing over their … Read more
I stayed longer than I should have because I still loved my narcissistic mother, even when I knew, deep down, her feelings for me weren’t the same. I kept hoping that one day she’d see me, understand me, maybe even love me the way I needed. That hope kept me tied to them far past … Read more
Let me tell you the part that messed with my head the most: Calling out my toxic family didn’t lead to growth, resolution, or even an honest conversation. Nope. It led to them crying, them telling everyone how hurt they were, and somehow, me being painted as the villain for finally speaking up. For years, … Read more
I tell myself it’s no big deal. That you’re just “too picky.” But deep down, I don’t trust people, and it’s not a personality flaw. It’s trauma. I grew up walking on eggshells. In a home where love came with conditions and trust felt dangerous, I learned early that being vulnerable often led to pain. … Read more
