Learning that self care and self resp... - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

9,738 postsβ€’

Learning that self care and self respect comes ourselves

Roukaya profile image
Roukaya
β€’18 Replies

I hope you are all keeping well

After a difficult day yesterday I learnt a valuable lesson in that no one can take away your own self worth or disempower you

I have a very difficult relationship with a demanding Mother learning to realise that she may try to erode my self worth but validation comes from ourselves and no external criticism can ever impact on us if we have a true sense of own worth and value

Written by
Roukaya profile image
Roukaya
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

18 Replies
β€’

Hi Roukaya, I agree with you and that to survive this world, which is full of the judgment of others, (mostly only to ratify their own insecurities), we have to learn to say 'no' to absorbing negative energy. Opinions are multitudinous. We can't all agree all of the time, and there's no reason why, just because it comes from a family member, that you have to agree it's true. I'm pleased that you are feeling a little better about it today and goes to show that you know that this is really your mother's problem and not yours! Take care and I hope you have a better day today. πŸ™

Roukaya profile image
Roukayaβ€’ in reply to

Good Morning

Thank you for your thoughtful reply

I hope you are well

β€’ in reply toRoukaya

Thank you Roukaya, Yes, I'm well but a little overheated! Just staying as calm and cool as I can! πŸ‘πŸ˜Š

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impairedβ€’ in reply toRoukaya

Hi Roukaya,

One of the hardest things to do is to say No to a relative who is making unreasonable demands, which is why I suggested an Assertiveness course to you, so you can learn to do it without guilty feelings.

I had to learn it many years ago, and It stands me in good stead even now.

This morning the weather has cooled noticeably; It's grey here, but no rain as yet. The humidity has dropped too.

We did have a couple of grumbles of thunder yesterday, and it looked as if there was a storm coming, but it passed over. I like storms, they make me feel energised.

Cheers, Midori

Roukaya profile image
Roukayaβ€’ in reply toMidori

Good morning

I hope you are well

It is interesting that storms make you feel energised

You have been kind enough to listen and offer advice and I will look into the Assertiveness course

I wonder if you could provide an example as to how this has helped you

I realise that I am studying and doing something which will help me to assert my independence and self fulfilment

I have a fair idea why I have failed the Diploma over three years as I let the personal worries overwhelm me

My demanding little Mother will never change always the Princess but I can change

Thank you

Your home sounds as though it is shaping up very well

You must be pleased with all of your hard work

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impairedβ€’ in reply toRoukaya

Hi Roukaya,

Assertiveness is basically the art of knowing your own worth, and having the confidence to get out there and stand up for yourself.

It helped me immeasurably after my husband died, I had no confidence in my own abilities any more, and many folk took advantage.

The first lesson in Assertiveness is to be able to say 'No', without adding on words like 'sorry', or 'because of,' or in any way justifying yourself or allowing yourself to be 'talked into it', or making excuses. It's not an easy lesson; even now I am still tempted to make up excuses why I can't, or won't.

Basically there are three ways we respond to demands; Submissive, Assertive and Aggressive. Submissive is agreeing, even if we don't want to, in case the other person gets offended. Aggressive is when we get angry and hurtful, either verbally or physically. Assertiveness is where you can state your case without fear, clearly and consisely, and without apology or excuses.

Hope that helps.

Cheers, Midori

Roukaya profile image
Roukayaβ€’ in reply toMidori

Good Afternoon

You have done very well to strike out on your own to take charge of your destiny and realising only you can do this by being Assertive

Saying no and by making no apologies for this

Very helpful

Thank you

β€’ in reply toMidori

That's very helpful for everyone.

I'd like to add a fourth option ''passive aggressive''. It is the sneaky one, where the delivery is passive but the intention is quite aggressive or manipulative.

Being assertive is fundamentally about seeking a win-win situation. Respecting your rights and those of others. Whereas aggressive is more win-lose. And passive is the reverse.

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impairedβ€’ in reply to

Good point. Pass/Agg wasn't a thing when I learned, Unfortunately.

bobbybobb profile image
bobbybobbAmbassador

Morning Roukaya, the world is full of people ready too criticise. Our own self worth gives us the strength in how we deal with these situations and how long we allow them to continue, letting them bother us. I think if we try and understand the reasoning behind why someone is constantly criticising, if we understand it, then becomes less of an upsetting emotion and doesn't have the same impact. No one can take your self worth but your guard can be lowered at times I think and then it's up to you to recognise the strong and worthy person you are and don't let it have an impact on your self esteem. Of course some criticism is good, constructive criticism, as this can often guide us if it's coming from the right people. 😊🌸🌼

β€’ in reply tobobbybobb

When someone has a go at me nowadays I ask them what their point is and get them to explain as it might be something constructive that I can learn from or if its just to be nasty because they have nothing else to do!

bobbybobb profile image
bobbybobbAmbassadorβ€’ in reply to

Yes that's it, some criticism is some people being mean, whereas, constructive criticism is something we can learn from and is helpful to us. πŸ‘πŸŒΈπŸŒΌ

β€’ in reply tobobbybobb

When criticism is constructive and fair then I don't mind it.

Its when its done to be mean is when I do like when a colleague had a go at me last November after I had cleared out my things when I was leaving my previous job saying in a nasty manner that I could always stay there and I had cried down the phone to one of my friends as it was an upsetting time for me working my notice and a hard decision to make in leaving that place as in no way was it something I did on a whim I had really thought about it.

I had left that job as I was fed up with the petty nit picking behind closed doors there from management which wasn't to do with the petty things at all it was just to have a go to be spiteful and I feel I made the right decision in leaving that place.

bobbybobb profile image
bobbybobbAmbassadorβ€’ in reply to

We have to remember some people are nasty and it is these people we have too try our very hardest to disregard what they say because they have said it out of malice with the pure intention of upsetting us. That's why often it is a problem with them and not a problem we have ourselves. This is when you have to be strong and say to yourself, I know exactly who I am and I am happy with the person I am. πŸ‘πŸŒΈπŸŒ»

Roukaya profile image
Roukayaβ€’ in reply tobobbybobb

Good Afternoon

I have this site to be supportive to me

I am learning to realise that I have to really focus for the exam in Sept and Jan

I can see how my Mother with her demands and criticism have started to take its toll

By establishing clear boundaries I have allowed the time for me to concentrate on the task at hand

I hope you keep well

Gradually I have started studying and even though it is a resit it is hard to concentrate the mind to believe you can actually get there

Thank you

β€’ in reply toRoukaya

Best of luck with your exams!

Roukaya profile image
Roukaya

Thank you

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits

Very wise words but I still find parking up other peoples comments and actions very hard to do . Some may not think they are upsetting but I have a good memory.

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Self-care during COVID-19

I try to care more for my own self, my healing process is long but i can do it πŸ™
β€’

Learning to realise that our voices matter

I would like to say that I am grateful to this site for listening to me I realise that our aims or...
Roukaya profile image
β€’

Saying Hello

I would like to explain I have been away mainly due to waiting for the two exam results of the...
Roukaya profile image
β€’

I came seeking support and understanding

I would like to say that there are many of you who have long term illnesses and your own individual...
Roukaya profile image
β€’

Motivation and Self belief

For those who live alone motivation and self belief is hard to constantly produce on a daily level...
Roukaya profile image
β€’

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.