‘You Have Mental Problems’

My parents told me growing up that I had mental problems. I would hear often, “You’re mental.”

It’s been decades since I heard those words. Perhaps my mother still says them behind my back. Perhaps she’d still say them eventually if we were to have contact.

I haven’t really thought about it for a long time. Which is good because I was desensitized from hearing it so much and probably agreed with them on many levels, as if it was just common knowledge. When I have mentioned it before, it was from a sort of disassociated place.

After decades of healing work, I just thought about this the other day. Wait a minute. Did my parents, my mother especially, really frequently call me Mental as a kid (and into adulthood I think)?

I can look back at my childhood and see I wasn’t mental at all. I think there was a whole lot of projection going on by some severely troubled people.

I wish I could have a conversation with myself as a kid. I’d say, “It’s not you, it’s them.” But I probably wouldn’t have believed it until decades later. But maybe…just maybe that little seed would have reduced a lot of fear of being so alone in life.

I’ve come so far. But for the Grace of God.

I want you to know that you’re not alone in this life. I’ve found my way through a lot of messes. I would love to support you in your journey.

Do you need coaching? Please contact me. I’d love to help you.