Acknowledging that it's okay to be affected by past events

[grrltastic]

 It sucks to acknowledge that the dissolution of my marriage left lasting effects on me. But, like, here we are.

I can't tell if it's a Midwestern thing or not, this belief that continuing to be harmed by past events is a sign of weakness. Either way, it's supremely unhelpful in learning how to exert the kind of boundaries I need to feel safe.

Because I don't right now.

Comments

[waketosleep]

Gonna go with yes, because I'm from Alberta (part of Canada's midwest) and we Albertans are raised to view emotions as a weakness we can train ourselves out of, or at least drink into submission.

[grrltastic]

Cool, cool. That supports my independent research.

[pinesandmaples]

I, too, would like to be a good little android and soldier on with my absolutely unaffected post-divorce self. I do not think this is Midwestern for me, though. I think it's because as a Southerner, I'm supposed to be convivial above all else. Being broken by a divorce sure does get in the way of conviviality.