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Parents think I'm lazy

User Profile: AnonymousSynonymous
AnonymousSynonymous August 29th, 2024

Hi all,

I'd like to preface this with the fact that I love my family and they have helped me through a lot. However, as any family there are ups and downs. Today, I need help with a down...


Now the problem here is my parents. I love my job, but I am part-time & don't like to overwork myself to the bone. My parents, however, are very insistent that I work more hours. Basically they want me working every weekday or more... which is not realistic with 12h shifts. They also think I should go out more to socialize, which they're probably not wrong about. However, they also make fun of me for not choosing to stay in when I have no plans or my friends are busy. They call me lazy and say I have no friends (I have at least 3 close friends they know about). Some of it is not completely wrong, but it really hurts when they say it.


Another reason it hurts is that I "technically" got diagnosed by my Family Doctor with Anxiety/Agoraphobia (fear of crowds/people) but my parents don't believe in it. They said that "Everyone has anxiety & social anxiety these days". I tried once to explain it to them, but my parents kinda brushed it off by saying I got better since I can ask for stuff at the counter & at restaurants now (I couldn't do it without crying as a kid).


Nowadays I just feel disheartened by their comments and "jokes" and this makes me want to go out even less. I don't know how to get them to stop or let them understand how I feel since they're so dismissive of me whenever I try to speak longer than 3 minutes.


I kinda just needed to rant somewhere, but any advice is more than welcome at this point.

1
User Profile: aren60
aren60 August 31st, 2024

@AnonymousSynonymous
Hi! It sounds like you're in a tough spot, trying to balance your own needs with the expectations of your parents. It's frustrating when the people closest to you dismiss your feelings, especially about something as real as anxiety or agoraphobia. One approach could be setting clear boundaries with your parents about how their comments affect you, explaining that their "jokes" aren't helpful. You might also want to consider sharing resources or articles about anxiety with them, as it could help them understand your perspective better. Lastly, remember that it's okay to prioritize your well-being, even if it means stepping back from their expectations.