It’s so nice to be back home lol it’s so much more peaceful

visiting my family is always hard, because I miss them, then, after being around them for too long, I remember why it’s better I live far away, but then I feel sad that I won’t see them again for a long time, even though I know if I lived closer, we probably would barely speak.

If we weren’t related and met at some social gathering, we would definitely not become friends heh 🤭😅

It’s a little exhausting having to bob and weave all the combativeness. It’s not just hot button issues. It’s everything. They’re ornery people.
Constantly having to defuse conflicts, and remind myself to not take, things personally is exhausting.

They don’t know how to communicate with each other without being disrespectful,
and they’re all come to expect each others’ disrespect,
and they all resent each other for it,
but none of them has any intention of not treating people like they do.
Instead, they think everyone else should develop a tougher skin.
They want everyone else to be nicer to them, but they don’t plan on being nicer themselves.


When I am there, I spend a lot of energy being careful with my wording because, although there’s a lot I’m willing to let go, there are certain topics I can’t in good conscience stay silent about lest my daughter interpret my lack of disagreement as agreeing.

I am much better about this dance now than when I was younger, but that doesn’t make it any less draining.




Now I am home, where there’s no one in my life who I have that kind of combative dynamic. The people in my life speak to me respectfully, empathetically, and vice versa.

I am grateful my day-to-day life is generally peaceful.
I am glad many years ago, I decided to create a more peaceful life.