So, when they tell you, “You don’t like me,” or “You resent me,” it’s a difficult balancing act. Answering truthfully is pointless, and offering empty reassurance simply highlights how one-sided the relationship is. If you feel the need to continue engaging, hold on to those slippery rocks of radical acceptance. Recognize that no matter how many times you tell them, “Of course, I like you,” they’ll keep accusing you otherwise. It’s a victimized form of gaslighting, where someone tells you how you feel, and while it’s uncomfortable to admit, it might actually be true.
This dynamic reveals why it’s so hard to leave these relationships. With family, it can feel nearly impossible to set boundaries or disengage in a healthy way. If you’ve experienced this, drop it in the comments. I hope shedding some light on this helps you feel less alone. It’s a tough cycle to extricate from. Thanks again.
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