Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and needy

BookBuffBex

My emotions are on a roller coaster lately. My son graduated from college on Mother's day weekend. I am so proud of him and know he will find his way, but I will always be a mother who worries about her kid. So now I've got a 22yo at home, my parent's dog, and my 2 needy parents in AL. Everything just feels a bit out of control and I honestly was not expecting to feel so sad on Mother's Day. I miss my best friend and it's so hard that she's physically here but I'll never really have that relationship with her again. I'm working very hard to preserve a relationship with my parents where I am still the daughter and they are still the parents, but it's not easy. Sometimes, I just feel like I'm the worst person and failing at everything, which the rational part of my brain knows isn't true, but the emotional part just wants to sleep and cry. I am working with my own doctors on my mental health . . . but it's a struggle and I know many of you here relate. DH, son, and extended family are amazingly supportive, but I guess I just wanted to share with people who are going through it. A reminder for myself that I am not alone in feeling this way. Thank you for this group and the support.

TrumpetSwan

You are not alone in any of that. I feel like there are triggering moments such as Mother's Day that tend to stir up these feelings perhaps more than other times. Sometimes you may be humming along, doing fine, then 'boom' you can start to feel a it down. The images in commercials, messages in cards, or browsing social media can be difficult.

I think you are doing a great job. You are caring for your own family, caring for your parent's dog, and allowing professionals to handle the daily needs of your parents while you are their daughter looking over things. That is the best I think any of us can do. We cannot fix our parent's illness.

I wish I had something great to say to make it all better. I can only tell you that I think I am travelling a similar road. I think there are naturally ups and downs. Do not be too hard on yourself. Remember to sometimes just take a deep breath. Keeping you in my thoughts.