The Family you Choose
On my birthday a few weeks ago I turned 47 years young, and I'd like to think I've amassed some wisdom in my nearly 5(!!) decades on this planet. One vital thing I've learned is this: there are people you're related to, and there is your family. Sometimes they're the same people, but sometimes they aren't. And you don't have to let people who are relatives run through your boundaries. Actually you should probably fortify them even more. Perhaps this is a generational thing or the many years of therapy I've had, but I am always amazed when I hear someone talk about a relative treating them poorly: taking advantage, lying, being a total leech, and many more examples. And it's evidently permissible because they're "family". Since the pandemic I've spent a lot of time focusing on relationships and the people who are the most important in my life. I've been evaluating the amount of time I have to spend with people and ensuring I...