‘ Blood Is Thicker Than Water ’ Disrupting Your Peace?

It’s a common notion that blood is thicker than water. Family is family. You’re stuck with them forever. But are you? A lot of people — though they’re perfectly bright and independent — tend to accept this idea without protest, even though they’ve been plagued with family stress for years on end. I accepted it too… until I realized I didn’t need to. I spent years tiptoeing around my relatives even though they were initiating conflict. And for what? It actually became something I couldn’t stop thinking about on a day-to-day basis because it fascinated me so greatly. Why must I band together with a predetermined group of people simply because we share genes? Why should I stick around in relationships that aren’t mutually beneficial because “blood is thicker than water”?  After many years of wrestling with my conscience, I realized the answer is simple: I shouldn’t.  It was an epiphany that changed the way I view life and relationships as a whole. It gave me a new sense of ownership over my existence to continue telling myself: It’s my time. I’ll choose who gets it.  There were many types of toxic behavior I used to put up with. Whether it was a passive-aggressive comment or direct confrontation, it weighed just as much on my mental health each time. Some iterations are: I’m “too busy,” and I really need to make more time for them. I don’t call enough, but they aren’t calling me either. I’m “too this” or “too that...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Agitation Family Personal Relationships Boundaries Communication Estrangement family squabbles Obligation Source Type: blogs