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Not everyone feels a close connection to their families.
In some cases, people may even find themselves thinking, “I hate my family.”
So what should you do if you hate your family?
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Finding ways to better understand the causes of such feelings can help you better cope with the situation.
Click below to listen now.
Poor Attachments
Attachment stylestypically fall into one of four types.
But people don’t always form healthy attachments to their caregivers.
Poor Boundaries
Anger and hatred can also stem from a lack of appropriateboundariesin relationships with your family.
Examples ofpoor boundariesin family relationships include:
Everyone has a right to their own boundaries.
You may find yourself disliking family members who are not accepting or supportive of your life and your choices.
Learning to recognize them can help you look for ways to cope.
Is it OK to not like my family?
It is important to remember that it is not uncommon to dislike members of your family.
Not liking your family does not make you a bad person.
In some cases, you might still maintain relationships with people even if you may not necessarily like them.
You cannot choose your family.
Don’t blame yourself for not feeling close to people that you do not like.
Consider strategies such as self-acceptance,emotional validation,mindfulness, andmeditation.
Therapy can also be very useful for exploring your feelings.
Decide How to Proceed
Not every relationship is salvageable or even worth preserving.
In these cases, it is often essential to temporarily or permanently cut ties with that individual.
If you are still living with your family, this step often requires planning and practical considerations.
Mend Relationships
Healing unhealthy relationships with family members is also an option.
This is a step that requires the participation of all of the people who are involved.
Dont allow yourself to feel pressured to bury your feelings or reconcile with people if you are not ready.
It can be hard to recognize an unhealthy boundary if that is all that you have ever known.
If you want to maintain a relationship with family members, set limits on these interactions when possible.
For example, you might choose to spend time with them once or twice a month.
Establishing these boundaries can help you feel more empowered and in control of your relationship with your family.
When necessary, be direct and simply state that you’d prefer not to talk about the topic.
Research suggests that family estrangement is not uncommon.
Nearly 17% were estranged from a member of their immediate family.
Whilecutting ties can be stressful, research suggests that there can be positive effects as well.
How do you deal with a family you hate?
You might start by talking to a mental health professional who can help.
Online therapy can also be a helpful option that you might want to consider.
Find out which option is the best for you.
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