u/Strict_Doughnut_2578

Hey everyone, I might be stepping into the 9–5 world soon and I’m curious what day-to-day life is actually like in Bahrain when working a full-time office job. 😭

Do you still have time and energy for hobbies, gym, friends, relationships, family, etc? Or does work completely drain you by the end of the day?

Did having a 9–5 change you as a person in any way — mentally, socially, creatively, or emotionally?

Also how hard was it adjusting to waking up early consistently? 😭 I’ve had a terrible sleep schedule for years so I genuinely can’t imagine myself sleeping early and functioning every morning.

Would love to hear honest experiences from people in different fields because I genuinely don’t know what to expect.

I (25F) am starting to wonder if my mom is emotionally abusive/narcissistic or if I’ve just become overly sensitive after years of living in this dynamic.

My mom can be caring in very surface-level ways, which is part of why I constantly doubt myself. She’ll do nice things for me, buy me things, bring me food, act loving in front of people, etc. But emotionally, I feel completely drained around her.

The biggest issue is that I never feel emotionally safe with her.

Every vulnerable thing I tell her somehow gets:
- used against me later,
- shared with other family members,
- turned into criticism,
- or brought up during arguments.

She acts emotionally open and caring to get information out of me, then suddenly my private business becomes family discussion material. Because of this, I’ve become extremely private and withdrawn.

She also has a habit of provoking me emotionally, then acting innocent afterward once I finally react.

For example:
- She’ll repeatedly question me, criticize me, judge me, or make passive aggressive comments until I become frustrated.
- Then the second I react emotionally, suddenly I’m “dramatic,” “disrespectful,” “hiding something,” or “throwing a tantrum.”

It feels like my emotions are constantly invalidated unless they’re convenient for her.

If I explain myself too much, I’m “lying.”
If I get upset, that’s “proof” I’m guilty.
If I become distant to protect my peace, I’m “cold” or “ungrateful.”

I also feel like she cares a lot about image and control. Things often become about:
- appearances,
- what other people think,
- status,
- reputation,
- or controlling outcomes.

Sometimes it feels like she sees me as an extension of herself instead of a separate adult person with my own emotions and boundaries.

Another thing that deeply affects me is how quickly she involves other family members in private matters. If I confide in her, suddenly my dad, grandma, aunt, etc. know everything. Then I end up feeling emotionally cornered and judged by multiple people at once.

Whenever I try explaining how her behavior affects me, she either:
- dismisses it,
- rewrites the situation,
- focuses only on the nice things she’s done,
- or makes herself the victim.

I’ve even started noticing patterns where she’ll do something that ruins my mood or creates emotional tension right before my dad comes home, then she presents herself as calm while I look emotional/reactive.

Over time this has made me:
- isolate myself in my room,
- avoid sharing personal things,
- question my own reality,
- become hyper-defensive,
- and feel emotionally exhausted in my own home.

The confusing part is she’s not “bad” 24/7. There are good moments too. Which is why I constantly feel guilty for even thinking this way.

But I genuinely feel like my nervous system is always on edge around her and I don’t know if this is normal parent behavior, emotional immaturity, narcissism, enmeshment, or something else.

Has anyone grown up with a parent like this? How did you stop feeling emotionally consumed by them?

I (F25) genuinely regret telling my narcissistic mom about my relationship.

For the first time in my life, I’m in a healthy, calm relationship that doesn’t destroy my nervous system or make me constantly overthink. We’re taking things slow, getting to know each other naturally, and not rushing marriage at all.

But the second my mom found out, it turned into an interrogation. (she went and told my dad, aunts, and grandma)

Questions about his full background, parents, money, sect, family name, future, etc. We come from two different muslim sectors. He fully knows and accepts what I am, prays, fasts, doesn’t party or mess around, works, takes care of his mom, and honestly treats me with more peace and respect than anyone I’ve been with before.

But now my grandma keeps indirectly saying they’d never approve of a guy from a different sect. They keep jumping to marriage scenarios when we’re literally just dating and taking things slow. My aunt and mom even suggested I lie and tell him I got proposed to so he’d “panic” and hurry up and propose. That kind of manipulation is exactly what I don’t want in a relationship.

What hurts more is realizing this isn’t even just about me. My brother is dating a girl from a simpler background and they judge that too because she’s not from the same wealthy/social class as us.

I also previously rejected a marriage proposal from a rich older guy in his 40s. my family loved because of his status and money, despite the huge age gap and lack of emotional connection. Ever since then, I feel like they resent me for not choosing the “perfect on paper” option.

And on top of all this, my grandma constantly tells me that a guy my age won’t find me beautiful in a few years and will eventually leave me for someone younger. She keeps bringing up examples of men who cheated or left their wives to “prove” her point. It’s honestly exhausting and emotionally damaging to constantly hear that while trying to build a healthy relationship.

Now I feel emotionally exhausted and avoid being around my family because every conversation somehow becomes about approval, sect, money, marriage, or fear.

I don’t even know if I’ll even marry my boyfriend. We’re just enjoying the relationship and learning each other slowly. But my family already turned it into a social and political crisis.

I feel like they care more about image, wealth, and what people think than whether I actually feel safe, loved, and emotionally stable with someone.

Is my family really toxic? do i have a point? what should i do to protect my relationship from now on?

Hey guys, I need some advice 😭

I’m trying to find a job in Bahrain before the end of June. I’m open to working in a media company, event management, marketing agency, or honestly anything creative-related.

Besides LinkedIn, where do people usually find jobs here? Are there any Instagram pages, recruiters, agencies, websites, or even WhatsApp groups that post opportunities regularly?

Also for anyone working in media/marketing/creative fields:
- Do I need a portfolio to get hired?
- What actually makes a portfolio or CV stand out here?
- What should I include if I’m still kinda starting out?

Would really appreciate hearing people’s experiences or any advice because the whole job hunting process has been stressing me out lately 🫶