When you have grown up in a toxic family environment, there is a period of time where you are coming to terms with that fact and how it has affected you. This can happen when you are 18 or when you are 50. It occurs at a different time for everyone.
It might feel like waking up from a dream. You have been told your whole life that what you have is ‘not that bad’, that ‘others have it worse’ or ‘you should be grateful that you have a roof over your head’. This is a way to dismiss and normalise toxic behaviour and invalidate your experience.
When this is happening, it can be life-changing to get support. Seeing a therapist and talking through your experiences can give you an objective perspective, somewhere to go to be heard and supported.
Are you a cycle breaker?