As part of an exercise I am doing through a book I am reading, Getting Past Your Breakup, I am working on a relationship inventory. There are a series of lists I have made, such as Positive Things About Relationship with BH, Negative Things About Relationship with BH, etc.
When I get lonely, it is easy to think of the past, & my relationship with BH & do what is called "splitting." That's when I remember all of the good times, & think of all of BH's good qualities, and forget about the bad. As a reminder of why I am better off alone (it is that morning vulnerable time for me!) I am going through the Negative Things About the Relationship:
> Time & attention I wanted to give to my children was compromised.
> No power or control over my own life.
> Constant criticism.
> Dealing with his children & their various issues.
> Felt BURDENED by responsibilities BH heaped on me.
> My needs, wants, dreams & desires were marginalized.
> Constant baby-mama drama!
> Never appreciated.
> All undesirable chores/jobs were dumped on me.
> No sharing of responsibilities.
> Everything was "tit for tat" in a very unhealthy way.
> I did not have a life I was proud of.
> Dealing with his anger issues and explosions was exhausting.
> Squeezing 6 people (& all of their things) in a house meant for 4 MAX was STRESSFUL.
> Making meals, cleaning up & doing laundry for 6 people with no help.
> Entered relationship financially secure & lost it all bailing BH out of his financial mess.
> Worrying about BH's behavior when my mother would come visit.
> Feeling that 4:00 panic -- house needed to be picked up & dinner started, stat!
> Inability to travel with my children - or do anything alone with them.
> Constantly feeling hurt & wounded by BH.
> Feeling so co-dependent.
> Being told how inefficient I was all of the time.
> Feeling trapped and hopeless about the future.
> His "catch phrases" that he would yell all the time:
"If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough."
"There is no later, there is only now!" (NOT said in a ZEN way! Yelled!)
"I could finish everything you have to do today in half the time & spend my afternoon watching TV!"
Not a pretty picture, is it???
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