So I've been going to therapy every week for a while. Yesterday was the first time I went that I didn't feel like I NEEDED to go. I wanted to go, but I wasn't like "Holy shit I'm gonna lose my mind I can't wait to get to therapy!" We talked some more about coping strategies on how to deal with my sister when she gets crazy, and how to not engage, etc. but there was nothing I needed to vent about or figure out. I've been reading a really great book about dealing with people who have BPD (recommended by my therapist) so I feel like I have so much more understanding and insight into the way my sister behaves and why she does and says all that awful shit. (And no, she hasn't been diagnosed with the disorder, but she absolutely has a lot of the traits, so either way, just understanding those traits, the motivation behind them, why the occur, etc has been extremely helpful to me).
I've been successfully keeping BSC sister out of my life and it's been great. I haven't had much contact with my dad (which is kind of normal because we live in different cities and we're not the type to chat on the phone) and even my mom has chilled out. I'm meeting up with her next weekend for shopping and lunch, which has always been our thing that we do, and I feel pretty well equipped to bean dip her and keep my boundaries if she feels the need to talk about the drama with my sister.
My therapist commented that I seemed a lot tougher, more sure of myself, and much happier (because I had mentioned some of the things you guys have helped me realize, such as that just because my sister is related to me doesn't mean I have to take her abuse, and she can go ahead and be mad that she's not invited to my bachelorette party but that's not my problem because it's a direct result of her own actions, etc). The therapist seemed really impressed with my progress. In my head I was like "But don't pat yourself on the back too much because a lot of this is thanks to TK." Ha.
So anyway, we both felt like I can cut down on how frequently I go there. Obviously if something blows up I can call and make another appointment, and I can go back whenever I just feel like I'm stressed or need to talk things out again, but no need to go every single week (for now). After my session yesterday I went to a spa and got a facial. By the time I got home I felt fucking awesome. Today, still feeling awesome. No family drama for me to vent about, for once!
What good things are happening in your lives? We commiserate together a lot. Let's celebrate together!