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struggling with self doubt

Hey everyone,
just a lil background, I am doing my A levels in 5 months and I live with my family
so every once in a while, an argument with my family and I starts and I can't leave the argument without reaching a general agreement, but my family won't understand that. I tend to have different ideas about family, relationships and culture than my family, and for some reason I feel like I have to voice that out, and I'm never given the chance to express how I feel, I don’t necessarily want them to start agreeing with everything I say, but I just wanted to be met with understanding. My different ideas are usually met with backhanded compliments and criticism and I try my best not to let it get to me but it really really hurts, and I keep second guessing myself and my ideas because of this. It doesn’t only affect my relationship with my family, but also everyone I interact with because I just always second guess what I'm saying and my values and ideas. It also makes it really difficult for me to focus on what my actual goals are, which is achieving the grades I am predicted at the end of A levels. despite this, I'm hopeful that I'll manage to get through this, and I have really great friends and teachers, but I do want to hear advice from anyone who is reading this, and anyone who might be going through something similar, let's be a safe space for each other <3

Reply 1

Original post
by Anonymous
Hey everyone,
just a lil background, I am doing my A levels in 5 months and I live with my family
so every once in a while, an argument with my family and I starts and I can't leave the argument without reaching a general agreement, but my family won't understand that. I tend to have different ideas about family, relationships and culture than my family, and for some reason I feel like I have to voice that out, and I'm never given the chance to express how I feel, I don’t necessarily want them to start agreeing with everything I say, but I just wanted to be met with understanding. My different ideas are usually met with backhanded compliments and criticism and I try my best not to let it get to me but it really really hurts, and I keep second guessing myself and my ideas because of this. It doesn’t only affect my relationship with my family, but also everyone I interact with because I just always second guess what I'm saying and my values and ideas. It also makes it really difficult for me to focus on what my actual goals are, which is achieving the grades I am predicted at the end of A levels. despite this, I'm hopeful that I'll manage to get through this, and I have really great friends and teachers, but I do want to hear advice from anyone who is reading this, and anyone who might be going through something similar, let's be a safe space for each other <3


People have different values and different perspectives of life, and just because yours are different to your families doesn’t make them wrong. If your family don’t listen to you, perhaps it’s time to stop trying to make them listen as you would only be hurting yourself?

I understand how you’re feeling, and being understood is something you want to feel and should feel with your family, but if you’re not receiving that, I’m afraid you may never.

This is just coming from my own experience, so do not take it too personally, but I would suggest perhaps distancing yourself when you’re in an argument. It seems like they aren’t too concerned on understand how you feel and more like too fixated on their own values, which they may believe are ‘right’. Try focusing on your studies first, put your grades and your education first before anything.

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
People have different values and different perspectives of life, and just because yours are different to your families doesn’t make them wrong. If your family don’t listen to you, perhaps it’s time to stop trying to make them listen as you would only be hurting yourself?
I understand how you’re feeling, and being understood is something you want to feel and should feel with your family, but if you’re not receiving that, I’m afraid you may never.
This is just coming from my own experience, so do not take it too personally, but I would suggest perhaps distancing yourself when you’re in an argument. It seems like they aren’t too concerned on understand how you feel and more like too fixated on their own values, which they may believe are ‘right’. Try focusing on your studies first, put your grades and your education first before anything.


Forgot to add but prioritise your mental health as well, preferably before your education! Look after yourself.

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
People have different values and different perspectives of life, and just because yours are different to your families doesn’t make them wrong. If your family don’t listen to you, perhaps it’s time to stop trying to make them listen as you would only be hurting yourself?
I understand how you’re feeling, and being understood is something you want to feel and should feel with your family, but if you’re not receiving that, I’m afraid you may never.
This is just coming from my own experience, so do not take it too personally, but I would suggest perhaps distancing yourself when you’re in an argument. It seems like they aren’t too concerned on understand how you feel and more like too fixated on their own values, which they may believe are ‘right’. Try focusing on your studies first, put your grades and your education first before anything.

You're right, it's just that I would have liked if they tried to understand me more. It's alright tho I know I can't do much about it :>

Reply 4

Original post
by Anonymous
You're right, it's just that I would have liked if they tried to understand me more. It's alright tho I know I can't do much about it :>


I totally understand. I’ve been through the same thing with family, but I’ve come to a point where there is no point in reasoning as sometimes our paths will never cross. I think it depends but in my case, it’s ‘elders are always right’. It might not be for you though! Sometimes people are always so engulfed in their rage and their own opinions that they don’t acknowledge the other ones around them, or it could just be stubbornness, not wanting to admit that you may be wrong and not wanting to change your thinking therefore avoiding anything that leads to that.

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