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In reply to the discussion: I'm struggling. [View all]cilla4progress
(24,585 posts)My struggle is different: I am an optimistic and idealistic person. I am beyond grateful that my work is helping primarily low-income monolingual Spanish-speaking women, some undocumented but working hard in low-level jobs to sustain our American lifestyle, leave oppressive sometimes abusive marriages, and their children, along with them.
I live a privileged life, which I attribute to and acknowledge as a middle income, educated, long married white woman. I try to pay for my privilege through financial donations, political activism, and my work. I recognize it's never enough, and I believe POC should be elevated in our society for their many contributions and long suffering at the hands of white supremacy!
My issue is my sad daughter! We have one child, a now-27 year old, who is mostly independent and has a good job with a nonprofit in a cool college town a day's drive from us. After quarantining, she arrived home for the break last night.
She is clearly experiencing a low level of depression, is quite negative, which includes disdain for me, lack of joy for good things in her life, like her great job that she so strongly aspired to. We have been close, and have also struggled in our relationship, through the years. I don't know how to help her, and also - shamefully- feel some resentment at her bringing her negativity here, when I am trying to remain positive, myself.
I honestly searched online this morning for online counseling for the issue, thinking I shouldn't bring it here, to DU.
This is why I found this thread so encouraging. It is really true that sharing your own vulnerability can meaningfully, palpably, help others. It has also helped me to see more clearly the impacts of the current state of affairs on her. I tend to channel my grief into anger, initially, then action. I dont understand negativity well.
So, thank you, DU, and AM! Blessed be!