Any idea on how to deal with a family member on the extreme left? I have someone who interprets almost every statement someone makes as racist/sexist/ageist/classist/etc. I'm not talking about the stupid shit your old uncle says. It's more like I'm surprised I can even say "hi" to them without it being labeled as something bad. They are so far left it makes me feel like a conservative, ffs.
@Reciprocity how do you deal w/ extreme right wing family members? i would do similar.
i tend to find extremists (left or right) are internally angry & have no room to hear anything but the sound of their own thoughts.
@singlemaltgirl I suppose it makes sense to approach it the same way for either extreme. I need to figure out a way to let it go without it getting me really upset (same reaction to both extremes). Thank you.
@Reciprocity @singlemaltgirl -A friend of mine uses questions from the ‚Illusion of Explanatory Depth‘ - (IED) https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/the-illusion-of-explanatory-depth
A lot of why these conversations are so draining is the ‚stress originator‘ (SO) is in an (IED)-more obvious to us from the outside. Which often prompts us to try & explain, reply, etc- draining, triggering & ineffective (usually). Instead asking the same questions you might ask yourself, as in this article or others, is much less work.& effective.
@Aicila @singlemaltgirl thank you so much. I think that article really nails it. So many people who have such strong opinions just end up parroting the same talking points they've heard other people say and have no clue what they're talking about.
@Reciprocity good luck. i don't think those situations are ever easy. it's the reason i'm estranged from most of my fam - for my own mental health. 🙄
@singlemaltgirl @Aicila it sucks when it has to come to that, but there's no sense in continuing to subject yourself to the misery. I'm sorry you had to do that, but it sounds like you're better off.
@Reciprocity it was hard to do. but no regrets. i truly am so much better mentally. i didn't realize how much it affected my mood, my anxiety, my ability to fend off depression. it was such a weight lifted & the only thing i kick myself for is not doing it sooner. but i think i had to try my best to get to this place. i know i tried, which made it easier in the end.
i hope you don't need to go there & you can find a way that you can live w/
@Reciprocity @singlemaltgirl I‘m glad you found it helpful. I wish you only peace and connection. And funny memes as wanted/needed.