This describes most of my life, and nobody really understands it. Getting through each day takes so much out of me that I have barely any energy left for myself at the end of it all. The main difference is that I do not sleep. I read, watch shows, or play games. The end result is the same, though: escape.

I generally agree to random help requests from friends and family, but if/when I decline, family is quick to accuse me of being selfish and only caring about myself. It is infuriating. Look, I know you are getting too old to clean your windows, but no, I will not agree to clean them twice a month. Look at my windows. Why would you expect me to keep yours pristine when mine look like that?

My recovery time is sacred to me, and without it, I would lose my mind. I'm just trying to keep my head above water, but family does not give a damn about that.

Lately, I have been declining to attend family functions. I spent the first 10 years of my adult life struggling to meet their needs and approval, giving them the time they wanted, etc, and I was an absolutely miserable wreck behind the scenes. These last few years of saying no to most invitations has been amazing, by comparison. Unfortunately, it has triggered escalating histrionics from my mother, and I do not have a solution for that. The more she tries, the more emotionally costly each interaction with her becomes.