u/moreoatsfamther

I’ve noticed when I’m around my mom or particularly my dad and grandma and they start on their monologues, I nod along and progressively get sleepier until I actually fall asleep. And often times they just keep going while I’m in a half-asleep state. I wonder if it’s a form of dissociation.

I also find myself zoning out a lot in my day-to-day life, particularly at work. It feels like my eyes get locked and I’m stuck staring through whatever I’m looking at. I feel peaceful when it happens. Anyone else?

I’ve recently come to terms with the way my parents were neglectful and have created distance between us. What I’ve been grappling with recently is my mom’s response to my distancing.

She doesn’t care. She went from being completely overbearing and suffocating when I lived with her, constantly in my business asking me so many mind numbing questions, to radio silence. It makes me sad that she hasn’t made an effort to figure out what’s going on with me, why I’ve been so distant. It’s like she doesn’t want to know because then she’d have to face it. She’d rather avoid and run away. I even asked her sister (who I’m super close to) if my mom ever talks about me, and she said no. My mom sent me the coldest birthday text, probably out of a sense of obligation. But then randomly she’ll spam me with messages about designer clothing or invite me to go outlet shopping with her (an activity that I have never shown enthusiasm about) or tell me about the latest upscale restaurant experience she’s had. And the way she describes these things, it’s as if she’s trying to sell them to me? If that makes sense. I give the most flat responses because I cannot be bothered to pretend to care anymore but my disinterest never phases her. She just keeps going. But otherwise, we never talk, I used to update her on my milestones (also sort of out of a sense of obligation) but I don’t anymore and she doesn’t know much if anything about my day to day life.

I guess I’m not surprised. It’s just painful. It’s like I still have these glimmers of hope that she’ll show up for me in the way I need, especially after seeing how withdrawn I have become. It’s so disorienting to never talk, and then randomly being flooded with messages about things I don’t care about.

Hi everyone, I was introduced to the concept of HSP by my therapist a few months ago. I really identified with it. I recognize the inherent struggles to being sensitive in this world but I've also found myself becoming proud of being sensitive. But one thing I noticed is after I accepted that I am highly sensitive, I think I almost embraced it in a way and let go of some of my tendency to mask?

One thing I am super sensitive to is sound, especially loud sounds from cars, or dogs barking. Now I am noticing that when I'm exposed to such sounds, my whole body flinches reflexively like a startled cat. I've never physically reacted this strongly to unexpected sounds until now. I'm wondering if this has to do with my acceptance of being sensitive and embracing that I'm different. Can anyone relate?

We have a new baby in the family which has stirred up a lot of feelings for me, I’m sure many of you could understand. I was visiting the baby and my mom showed up. She started to comment on how much the baby’s mother was holding him. “She’s holding him so much, is that normal? I don’t remember holding my baby that much. The baby’s too used to getting held, that’s why he cries when she puts him down.”

I was like yeah I think that’s pretty normal. For a mother to hold her baby. For a baby to want to be nurtured. Sigh

near 6th and magnolia facing north west, as I was exiting my car I saw a big green flash, anyone else?

Hey, so I've dealt with my fair share of gender based discrimination and harassment in the workplace, as I'm sure many of you have. I'm in my 30's now and my tolerance for it has gotten quite low, in the past I have hesitated to report and/or confront the individual, but would like to handle things differently this time.

So, this is a male coworker, he has 5 children, I think he's maybe in his 50's. He's newly hired. It was pleasant working with him at first, but I noticed he started to get a little *too* friendly/familiar, making little quips such as "look who decided to show up today," or "guess you're a part timer now?" and things like that, which is fine but also weird because I don't really know him. I just figured he has a sassy personality.

Then, in-between work conversation he starts asking me personal questions, about my heritage and things like that which I was happy to chat about at the time. But then he crossed the line after he saw my out of office note that I had a doctor's appointment and then asked me if everything was OK at the doctor...which I deflected at first but then he asked AGAIN, I was like yeah...just some routine bloodwork. I found it odd that he felt comfortable prying into my medical stuff.

Then... I went up to him to ask a question and mid-sentence he cuts me off saying "you smell nice...what scent is that, cookies?" I was embarrassed, he did this in front of a bunch of people. Also I wasn't wearing any scent???

Another instance, I asked him to get me some info, which he provided but then followed it up with "I like you... so here's a copy of the document for you." I'm creeped out.

The creepiest instance though was today. I had spoken to him in-person early in the day. Around 5PM I informed him about something work-related, and he responded "KK" and then "that color looks great on you btw..."

I immediately felt nauseous reading that, like wtf. It's disturbing. It's one thing to say "I like your shirt" upon seeing me but saying that hours later, completely unprompted and the way he worded it, just ick. I feel like these are all relatively minor things but it does feel like his behavior has escalated and if it doesn't get addressed it could get worse.

I haven't responded. I told a manager about it, who said he would report if I wanted him to. So I'm debating reporting him, or having a talk with him privately. Confrontation is hard for me and if I were to talk to him I would have to rehearse exactly what I was going to say to make sure I don't get choked up under the pressure. So I'm here looking for some advice, how would you ideally handle this?