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Can I really go on with my life even if my family doesn't accept what I am?

19 Answers
Last Updated: 10/26/2020 at 12:47pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Elaine Kish, LMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

My goal is to treat clients with respect and compassion. I am a supportive, strengths-based therapist with experience in treating mood disorders, grief, and trauma.

Top Rated Answers
WesternCanada1
March 18th, 2015 7:26pm
Not only you can but you will see that being who you are and living you life to the fullest will aways be worth it. Besides, if they love you, in the the long run they will surely accept what/who you are. Guaranteed !
EmiiAmor
April 3rd, 2015 6:19pm
Although it may be difficult, life goes on and so should you. If your family does not accept you and you hold onto that, you are keeping yourself from peace and happiness. Sometimes you have to be selfish in life and do what you need to make you happy. That's being yourself.
RunningRiver
June 4th, 2015 11:46pm
Yes. You are not just some thing for other people to accept. The fact that they don't accept you is their problem, not yours. Love yourself so no one else has to. I promise, life can and will get better, and soon enough you'll be out of the house and away from your family anyways, so it's okay. It's only temporary.
Aayla
- Expert in LGBTQ+ Issues
July 17th, 2018 9:03pm
I understand how hard it is when your family, the ones that should care about you and support no matter what, doesn't accept who you are. But your life is yours to live, and you have the right to be happy! It may not be easy to come to terms with the fact that they don't accept it, but there's nothing wrong in who you are, and living your life freely and happily is not only your right, but also something you deserve. Just make sure they know you'll be there to talk to them and help them understand you, if they ever change their mind - and then go on and follow your heart. It will bring you to your happiness.
OmgLeandra
July 4th, 2016 6:45am
Sometimes your family isnt always going to agree with a lot of the decisions you make in your life. But that doesnt mean you should change yourself in order to fit their expectations. Do what makes YOU happy and if theyre your family and they really love you, theyll learn to love what you've become
beautifulPicture6768
October 26th, 2020 12:47pm
Absolutely. While family can usually provide support to those going through tough times, sometimes the family is the cause of such times. You are you, whether by choice or not, and anyone who doesn't accept you doesn't deserve your time and attention. You have to do what makes you happy, and you can't worry about anyone's approval, even your family's. If you want to be accepted by your family, then that is something you have to understand how to do on your own. You know your family better than anyone, and you know if they have the heart to change their minds or not, if that is even something worth considering.
hoppingpen
August 7th, 2017 10:56pm
You can, yes. But any time we are forced to make a choice between who we really are and who others want us to be, there are bound to be repercussions. Make sure you have a good support system by you in case coming out isn't a party. That way you can express your feelings in a safe place.
Anonymous
July 11th, 2017 5:25am
Not being accepted is hard, it can be especially hard if you're not being accepted by family/friends. That doesn't mean that you can't go through life just fine. Just love yourself for who you are and you'll find true happiness.
Anonymous
July 4th, 2017 1:15pm
Yes. It is really sad to see when people aren't accepted by their family when they come out, but you have to keep living your life. And it's hard, so hard, but you have so much potential and you can't let that go. And hey, when you loose one family, find another. Families aren't just a group of blood related people-they are people who love each other. Find a friend who you can lean on and support, just keep yourself going. Please go on with your life, you are going to do great things with or without your family.
Hope2theRescue
January 10th, 2017 12:16pm
Yes, of course you can! The world we live in is finally coming to the conclusion that yes there are people out there who aren't straight. Not everyone is going to accept you, and as tough as it may sound- it gets easier. I know I had to accept the fact of that and eventually I hope that you will too.:D
Anonymous
October 25th, 2016 9:24pm
Honestly, as the Official Family Disappointment : you can. Being yourself is more important than pleasing your family.
ManiMorgan
August 9th, 2016 12:01am
That all depends on you and your family. These things must be a case by case basis. I lean heavily to Yes, Yes you can be who you are without your families acceptance but it must be admitted that depends on the value you place on the acceptance of your family.
DevanC
August 8th, 2016 10:15pm
Your life will ALWAYS be worth saving. Rejection is something that can damage us, especially when it comes from those we have held so close to our heart. Your family may one day see that you have been and always will be 100% acceptable. In the mean time, live life like you have always dreamed. You will gain many more loved ones who will catch you when you stumble.
KendallNichole
January 24th, 2015 1:50pm
I think that's up to you! I can only imagine how hard that situation must be, so it probably will be hard. But having hope that your family will soon learn to accept you is probably what's going to get you through it. Best of luck :)
Deadlyxrealityx
May 30th, 2016 10:35pm
Yes you can. It's all on you. Your family will come to accept you and end up supporting you. It will all come into place.
Anonymous
January 4th, 2016 7:31pm
It's going to be hard, I'll give you that. But I also can tell you confidently that you *can* go on. It's like crossing the monkey bars, as C.S. Lewis once said. You have to let go in order to move on. You have to be able to realize that these people, though they are your family and are important to you, are not the be-all-end-all of your self-worth. You are amazing, you are wonderful, you deserve to know that you are special. You can go on with your life because it is *yours*. Make it amazing.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2015 4:36am
Of course. You can do anything you want to, with or without your family's approval. It may be difficult, but it's possible.
Eloquentgraffiti10
September 22nd, 2015 5:07pm
Yes, of course you can. Family being unsupportive can be difficult but you have many people who love and care for you. dont give up.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2015 5:17am
yes you can , you just have to gain enough confidence to keep chugging along on your path of life positively.