Why You Are Afraid to Be a Burden

[@YourMajesty143]

You missed one: That when you do ask for help, they throw it in your face later and use their help as a tally of all the things they've done for you and expect you to be grateful - or they create an exchange-rate system that weaponizes their help, in order to get you to do chores or obey a rule they've established out of the blue. They often will guilt trip you and treat their help as a "favor". In fact, they generally will treat their overall parenting as something they're doing as a charitable act, and therefore you owe them. This turns a parent-child dynamic into a transactional relationship, where you constantly feel indebted to them or obligated to pay for their "kindness". This then leads to a hesitation or unwillingness to ask for anything bc you dont want to be a debt slave, so you start to budget "requests" for only the most important occasions like asking for permission to hang out with friends or to be allowed to participate in a social event like an out-of-town wedding or be part of an after-school dance/play. It never occured to me until adulthood that parenting should be seen as an obligation that they signed up for which requires their own sacrifice, and not the sacrifice or penance from their child. If a child feels anything less than safe and secure with their place in the home, then you've failed your job as a parent. Children should feel taken care of, not feel like they have to share the burden of taking care of themselves and everyone else. No child should feel like they're an inconvenience or afraid of racking up debt if they ask for help!

[@MeeCee5204]

I totally understand where you're coming from. My son, who is 29, told me something very similar a few years ago right before he told me that he never wanted to talk to me again. I have to say that was the most devastating moment of my life. For months, I left tearful messages on his voice mail, apologizing to him and begging him to forgive me. Finally, after about 7 months, he called and forgave me. Thankfully, we have a great relationship now and there are bo hard feelings between us. In reference to your comment, being a parent means loving and nurturing your child, but also teaching them important values. Sad to say, many parents just don't know how to teach values in a loving way. Most of us are just going by the way we were taught. The best advice I can give is to have a heart to heart talk about the situation. Both sides have to try to understand how the other feels and where their coming from before anything can be resolved. Best wishes 😊

[@annepandesal]

i really felt this comment. this is how my parents are. they would hang those times i do sk for help over my head. even now i still struggle with asking for help because i fear that people would do the same, tallying the times they helped me

[@beach2787]

Story of my life !

[@yamiletsoler3464]

Yep, I know that very personally. My mother always says that we( her daughters) have to earn EVERYTHING, that we eat her food and we live under her roof. But not for long, God willing.

[@VisibleTimes]

Very insightful comments

[@hilly5488]

Many times, I have asked for help, and not received it. It’s much worse to ask for help and not get it compared to not asking for help.

[@BashaerB-h2c]

Because it reinforces that belief that they don’t love you. “If they did, they would” and having that thrown in your face over and over again is painful.

[@hilly5488]

@@BashaerB-h2c spot on, glad other's can see this too

[@experiencelifelittleone]

so true. It can be trauma. :(((

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

Worse still is getting "help", and then being called stupid because despite their efforts you still don't understand whatever it was you asked for help about.

[@sla1xyz]

It's even worse when they bring it up again about helping without you asking again and then nothing happens. You also feel stupid if it's a basic need like a haircut, and then asking for any little thing feels like asking for way too much. It's honestly easier to neglect yourself and pretend it's not a problem.

[@katharina...]

In my late twenties, I asked my mother if she loved me when I was a child. She said of course she did. I asked what she loved me for, and she said "because you never wanted or asked for anything". Apparently, I was one of those children who never cried as a baby, never fussed. They had to occasionally check to see if I was still alive, my mother told me cheerfully. When I was a bit oldrer, I was very aware that my older sister and younger brother would frequently ask for clothing or toys they wanted, and they often got what they'd asked for. I genuinely didn't think this was an option for me, so I just went without. In my early teens, I didn't have any underwear that wasn't completely falling apart, so I found my mother's old knickers that were way too small for her, but too big for me, so I tied knots on both sides and wore them. I seriously didn't think I had any other option 🥴😔

[@yamiletsoler3464]

I understand you so much. Until I read your comment I've never thought much of it, but when I entered into puberty I started to develop my body very rapidly, I started to get breast by 11 I guess or before, and by 12 I really needed to wear a proper bra, but I felt so ashamed to ask for help to my mom for a new bra, not because I didn't want her to note that I was developing so fast (cause it was pretty obvious), but I didn't want to feel weak or be a burden to her for having a need, knowing that my whole childhood was appalled by her shaming and mocking me, and even threatening me to hit me for seeking her help with something, so I just decided to resolve the issue with my breasts, by stocking napkins inside my short blouse that I used under my school uniform, it was so uncomfortable and embarrassing cause people could notice that something was off with my underwear, so I used to hunch over to not receive any attention, I was already very insecure and that didn't help at all. I hope your life is better now and gets even better in the future. Blessings.

[@ashtonstout7375]

I’m sorry your mother neglected you. You deserved to be deeply loved and taken good care of.

[@HNCS2006]

Yes.... All throughout my childhood my parents would boast to otherd how little i cried, how little fuss I made, they could just toss me into a room while they worked, and i was such a good child.

[@mariajmc6557]

gosh that was me and my family....

[@StarShaye21]

My bf and I were just talking about how we both didn't ask for much growing up because we felt all of the resources our parents had to offer were reserved and depleted for the other children and man was that an eye opener for me as a parent. Which is funny bc now my parents always extend an offer for help and I rarely ever consider them for assistance, but when I do, they've already helped another sibling (they are separated I might add) so I never really get the help anyway. The only time they really contribute is when it's one of my children's bdays... my mom assisted me with the down payment on a car and my dad helped me moved. But those are the times I can count them helping since I've truly been on my own. But endless help for the others, except my brother, he gets more help than me but less than the other two.

[@RodeoDogLover]

I was recently forced to ask several friends to help me through a surgery because my family of origin shamed me for needing help. It was a huge slap in the face turned wake up call. This video explains everything. But my friends rallied around me and helped me through what was apparently too much of a burden for my mother. If you’re reading this: you are worthy of help-you just need to find your people.

[@RodeoDogLover]

⁠​⁠@@Felix-v8g1dthank you so much for your kind words. I hope you have friends as generous as mine. ❤

[@bluebonnetbutterfly5728]

I’m about to go thru this myself, and am in the same boat.

[@RodeoDogLover]

@@bluebonnetbutterfly5728 I can tell you that I feel absolutely liberated! I hope you have a similarly positive experience. If you can find trust that you are being taken care of, that all will be well I have a feeling that you will be! I know it might look hard to face, but once you realize that your fears were just that, the reality of the confidence you will be able to claim, the freedom of having any future obligations lifted-worth every fret, every tear. I wish you the smooth process I experienced. And even if you get a bumpy ride, use it to prop yourself up for your bravery and resolve. Whatever your experience to come, may you receive blessings galore on the other side.❤

[@kris12385]

I am a big ole dope and made narcissistic friends to take the place of my family... fml.

[@ars6187]

Finding one’s people is SOOOOOOOOOO important!!! But it’s also SOO frickin hard. Especially when coming from a background like ours. This is where I’m at, where I’ve been at, actually. Trying to find our tribe for myself and my kiddo. We need our people.

[@p5rsona]

Wish I could just take a pill to cure myself of this neglect

[@jaijai8829]

Meee too!! That would be great!

[@charging7]

You can, it's called reparenting. It's where you learn to parent yourself. There's 2 versions of people with childhood trauma: the scared little kid inside you that doesn't understand what to do and then there's your grown up self. I've learned to allow my grown up version to take control of day to day activities of life and it works so much better. My grown up version is so much more capable and strong than my young, scared version.

[@WW-ob7ek]

Journaling also helps. Wishing you the best in your journey. Let's do this for our inner child. It's about time we heal ourselves. We are all equally important, remember that.always.

[@BashaerB-h2c]

What helped me is journaling, self care (exercise, hair masks, face masks, eating healthy) and finding new people who value me and appreciate my presence.

[@WW-ob7ek]

@@BashaerB-h2c did I read that right, hair masks and face masks? 😂. Well, yeah, self care is important too!

[@HealthyPersuit-sj3fr]

My mother's burdens were very great with a violent alcoholic husband, 5 kids to be fed, clothed etc so I kept to myself so as not to further burden her. She was not a narcissist she was a kind person. So this type of trauma can happen without parents being narcissists.

[@lcaldwell2142]

A parent who stays by choice or peril is enabling violence and alcoholism to become normalized and tolerated. It is so dangerous. Low grade terror in the nervous system all the time.

[@jaydee2072]

I can understand that feeling. My parents weren't narcissists, they were just incredibly work obsessed. They did everything to further their careers and line their pockets with money, only to blow it on their accumulated debts. And I was shown the debts, told of their importance, and showed the money they spent on me. Nevermind that I was abused and abandoned by my birthmother, nevermind that I was raised by a nanny for my infancy instead of my surrogate mother, being shown the absolute debt pile we were in and how much I contributed to it(and was thus an unwelcome burden)damaged me. As did many other things. And now as a grown man who has never had a romantic relationship and has few friends and no future, I still don't know how to express my needs. They have never been valid to anyone, from birth. Sometimes makes me wish I was dead. At least then its all even.

[@melissaheld9951]

​@@jaydee2072I just want to tell you that you matter and I'm sending you a virtual hug right now 🤗 Please hang in there the best you can

[@sloth6247]

He said "somebody in the leadership position" in your case, the narcissist was your father.

[@TheEverydayMystic]

I thought I must have posted here and forgotten...when I read your childhood.

[@danak2230]

The other day, out of desperation, I asked my dad to help me find a medical record from childhood which I needed. I was genuinely surprised that he helped and didn't make fun of me for being so inept as to have lost it. I realized that to me, asking dad for help feels like calling emergency services. There must be a disaster going on. Before calling him, I ran through the scenario and came up with defenses against his usual insults. It upset me to think that my own father is enemy #1 for my sense of self-worth.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

I really knew that one. I wasn't joyful about anything he suffered. I wish I could've been glad the last 13 years since he died, but my beloved wonderful sweet husband died 5 weeks before he did.

[@yamiletsoler3464]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, I know how it feels. I hope that you have better people to surround yourself with.

[@VisibleTimes]

I hope that you are healing.🙏

[@Debra-k1f]

Bingo....you nailed me!! I'm in a desperate situation right now, and I need to ask for help, I can't! I was raised by a narcissistic mom, our Dad died young. My mom is a millionaire- she's in a position to help me, but she never has. Idk 🤷‍♀️ what to do? My husband recently passed away after 41years. My heart is broken and my house flooded. Contractors broken and stole from me. Insurance is no help! They are the biggest scam! Liberty Mutual- stay away from them.

[@yamiletsoler3464]

@@Debra-k1f I just prayed for you, call on the name of the Lord Yeshua and He will rescue you. Put your life on his hands and he will set you free. What else do you have to lose? Trust him.

[@debrastone6764]

The only reason I don't want to be a burden is because I know no one will pick up that burden. I am on my own, no one has ever helped me so I must believe that I cannot expect help.

[@dorismahoney1440]

Enliven ifcf9lks will help. Nice to do it on yourself. I myself really don't like helping folks move.

[@NANASplash]

Same here. I’m 72. Always the helper, never helped.

[@IstandwithGaza111]

Same here 26 years old

[@IstandwithGaza111]

​@@NANASplashsending you a hug 😢

[@vianeyvasquez1713]

Amen. May we all least have a sturdy wall to lean on.

[@nishanacht]

Thought I was as ‘adaptable’ to any environment, even used that as one of my “strengths” in job interviews. Until I realized, I just disappear whenever I’m not alone.

[@L6FT]

You learned to hide. It's a survival strategy and serves its purposes, except for if we need to be seen and feel secure in that. I recently discovered this in myself as well. I'm now practicing putting my own needs and desires first, being assertive in what I need and want.

[@mariajmc6557]

it is called crap-fit by Anna Runkle the crappy childhood fairy... and i realised i should change that and now feel so much better...

[@twestcreates]

When I was removed from my alcoholic parents and put with my aunt and uncle I was praised for being adaptable and adjusting to change so well. It was a matter of throwing out my own wants and needs and adopting a new mindset to make it through. But I still do this, and find myself just powering through situations I'm uncomfortable with

[@dianagonzalez7220]

Wow, I’m now realizing that my adaptability keeps me unseen, I’m not vulnerable with people, I try not to burden other but hurt myself by isolating in the process

[@barshamalla7729]

Same here

[@kurt6410]

I wish I would havehad this knowledge 30 years ago. It would have saved me a lot of pain and suffering

[@mickeyhadley4281]

I say the same at my ACA meeting every week. So true.

[@SA-lz1vx]

😢

[@steevo8754]

Same here!

[@tammyhiatt1804]

Amen!!!

[@corneliah.5928]

Me too!

[@VampyressVA]

It's bingo night over here!! 😂😭 It's not easy. When you ask for your needs, you are shamed and abandoned. But when you don't, you are starved and abandoned anyway. You end up learning to rely only on yourself. It's exceptionally hard to trust again.

[@meganparrish807]

He forgot one; being poor. Recognizing from a young age how little your parents could afford to spend on you also goes into feeling burdensome. This goes for having older siblings who seem to get better stuff than you at Christmas because your parents have to prioritize them due to different developmental stages, compounded with getting hand-me-downs because you’re the youngest and your family can't afford to be wasteful.

[@suzlee1780]

THIS! 😢

[@laurafox3373]

@@suzlee1780Especially when the family was in a better financial situation before “now” (perhaps one parent quit to stay home or someone had to take a pay cut or expenses increased due to inflation and relative pay to expenses decreased) or maybe grandparents greatly subsidized holidays and birthdays with the older siblings - and the grandparents had since died or are no longer able to help as much.

[@amyrenee1361]

This isn't being poor, this is called being jealous

[@meganparrish807]

@@amyrenee1361 No it ain't. It's family dynamics when you're poor.

[@anamia345]

@@meganparrish807 so true!

[@nobodynowhere21]

And gifts are never gifts. They are a quid pro quo.

[@marinakukso]

...and that's why I never ask my parents for anything.

[@dannymayday7106]

Yup.

[@tbunnyshy1]

🎯

[@atomic_poppy]

My mom started asking me for a monthly payment because of “all she did for me “

[@jackdeniston6150]

@@atomic_poppy Understand that debt has been repaid already. Your existence has given her purpose, attention, validation. She has a debt to you in fact. But she will never pay it.

[@Mermare]

I would add to this, that if you ask much of others, they will abandon you.

[@nowie4007]

True

[@Mermare]

@TimFletcher8 Eff off, scammer.

[@Keyboardje]

Not only when you ask "much" of others. My experience as an adult is more that if I dare to ask anyone anything, no matter if it's just a little favor, and I finally dare to trust someone enough to ask, I immediately get scolded and abandoned.

[@smokingcrab2290]

This is why husbands can't ask for love or sex from their wives

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

@@smokingcrab2290 is it? I think every man and woman is different and has their own level of need. Not saying this is you, but most women don’t like feeling obligated or like sex in their relationship is a transaction/servitude, rather than a chance to be intimate and bond with their male partner.

[@GabeCoolwater]

This could be sign #19: "When you see parents helping their young adult children (ex: taking care of documents to enroll in college), you think how weak their kids are that can't do that by themselves... and you feel extra proud of yourself for having done that on your own." This video really opened my eyes... My pride is now destroyed, knowing it's the result of trauma... I feel like I don't know who I am anymore...

[@misspat7555]

@@GabeCoolwater It’s okay to still feel proud of yourself for surviving and even succeeding in spite of this neglect IN ADDITION TO grieving the absence of parental support that some other people have had. One plus is that, while being a young person with non-supportive parents is a heavy lift, as parents age, become ill, and die, this is devastating for those whose parents were supportive; not so much for those of us who survived in spite of our parents, and not because of them. ❤️‍🩹

[@janeyrevanescence12]

I was badly bullied at school because of my ethnicity and my younger brother was diagnosed with autism, which resulted in my parents essentially throwing me under the bus because my brother needed help more. When I did try asking for help for my depression and anxiety, my parents kept insisting that I was fine, that I was asking for attention, that everyone gets depressed or anxious. I had to tell them I was contemplating suicide in order to be taken seriously.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

At least someone finally heard you. I don't think my mother ever heard a word I said. She worked two jobs to be out of the house, shop all she wanted, not have to deal with us-- and so she could afford really nice clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, trips, etc.

[@andreashelton957]

Janey I am so sorry for your experience. I'm glad you got help. I am also an invisible sibling of someone on the spectrum so I know how incredibly hard it is. My whole family including grandparents put me at the end of the line for all the ' needier 'ones. You are a good and valuable person! God bless you.

[@AleksanderAaronHansen]

Wow, its surreal to see you write that, i can very much relate to your your situation, having a younger sibling diagnosed can really get you overlooked, and being ethnically different is just a double up. I feel for you and despite it all, i believe full recovery is possible

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

I was also diagnosed with autism as a teenager (diagnosis hidden for 10 years, mind you…), but my parents help with mental health in general was a bit hit and miss. Sometimes if I was anxious, worried or some other issue was arising because of my undiagnosed issues, I would just be dismissed. I wasn’t ok, I knew I wasn’t, but got told I was.

[@alexia3552]

"In a healthy home, there's an understanding that your needs are just as important as my needs" The way I reflexively wanted to laugh at the audacity of that statement and then instantly realized "OH. Oh yeah this probably applies to me"

[@molh394]

I have a great home environment, but am struggling with a work environment where the bosses are relentless about telling everyone that, effectively, our needs don't matter and only the bosses' views and needs matter. Then suddenly, when I got a horrible talking-to yesterday where my self-esteem was affected, I receive this in my recommendations. I wonder if the universe is just sending me some reassurance in these tougher times.

[@janakakumara3836]

With a narccesist, Love is a check that always bounces

[@frenchfroggyfry]

I’m always told how proud people are of me that I am so independent and self sufficient - this really makes me afraid asking for help because they think I can do this all on my own and I don’t get the help I ask for and I get convinced this shouldn’t need others help. I feel shame by the end of the interaction and feel alone and weak.

[@EuphoriaSystem]

Such content, for free, when a psychologist session starts from $50h is unbelievable. Tim Fletcher, it’s hard to imagine a more worthy commitment into the development of a mental-healthy society. Your impact is very significant 🤝✊

[@Blablabla44475]

The most messed up part of having narc parents like this, is when you grow up, they still wonder why you don’t like them or want anything to do with them. Or they just blame you for it all, even though they’re the unbearable ones.

[@susie5254]

I feel like you've watched my relational interactions all my life because you understand EXACTLY why I realized, at the age of 50, that I couldn't even ask God for anything. Thankfully I've at least improved my relationship with Him❤

[@jollyexotic]

I can relate to this. I felt like I couldn't come to God unless I was perfect, that my problems were a burden to him. It took me 30 years to realize that came from how my parents treated me. Now I've been born again and God is parenting me the way I should have been.

[@nositeltrickaaustraliabest4436]

I was trying to help others and not ask anybody for help so much that I found myself in hypocritical religion instead of relationship with God. I was born again in 18 and spent 32 fruitless years in a lie. I never listened to God when he was talking to me about it because of fear what will happen if I will not be there for others. In march this year I felt strong presence of God when my mind was cyrcling around "what should I do" and He said: I just want you to be happy.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

​@@jollyexotiche's a really big God, Infinite Love! I always wondered where we got ideas like that. Thanks for sharing.

[@Godloveshischildren]

It definitely messes up a person's view of God and faith, because it makes you view God in light of how your parents treated you. If you weren't perfect, you didn't deserve to be loved. If you messed up, you deserved to be ridiculed or beaten. If you disagree, your stupid, or challenging their authority, even if you're an adult. If you ask for anything, you are also stupid or helpless. If you don't do what they say, it's rebellion, even if what they said to do is unethical. They live by a different standard than what they hold you to. They need you to forever feel inferior and insecure, because then, you will always need them, and never be successful. They, despite all the religious self-righteousness they often project, are the exact opposite of the biblical description of righteousness, and by their hypocrisy often drive their children to reject God; because how could God allow them to go through what they did, and if God is like their parents portray him, they don't want anything to do with a God like that. Sadly many people are atheists, many commit suicide, and many go to hell for that very reason. Because the people/parents who claimed to be good people were the exact opposite, and others who know them, or who were raised by them reject God as a result of how they were treated. Scripture states that everyone will give account/an answer for the things they have done when they stand before God on judgement day, and that includes how they treated others, unfortunately many people disregard that part of scripture.

[@yamiletsoler3464]

​@@Godloveshischildrenyou're so right, that's one of the main issues of parents abusing their children, cause when they grow up like this, they just think everybody else in this world and some think that even God is like this, it's so hard, to deal with narcissistic parents cause I'm sure they have their own traumas, and one wants to be empathetic with them but they just persist on doing evil and harming their children so much that it's hard to feel any compassion towards them anymore, like, when will you stop blaming people for your own actions?, why do I have to pay for what others have done to you?? When do you think you'll be satisfied enough with the damage you have caused? These are the questions they will never answer, at least not with logical reasoning.

[@martinmartin9084]

Always felt I was a burden, and after some years I really created burdens for myself and others. It is a hellish mindset to have.

[@MolecularMachine]

I am so emotionally disregulated about feeling like a burden to my family that I can't keep employment, even part-time. So they give me their money, and I feel like a burden, and it gets worse and worse.

[@martinmartin9084]

@@MolecularMachine What ever you do, dont become an addict, then you will feel like this burden 24/7.

[@FireSilver25]

Good insight! I often make problems for myself because I’m used to being a burden

[@Solibrae]

Indeed, it's a vicious cycle. Watch out that you might be subconsciously wanting to remain in this situation because your brain is addicted to the feelings it gives you, which makes it into a kind of comfort zone you don't want to break out of (Especially if you're afraid of becoming a burden to other people too, of course!)

[@nak3dxsnake]

It is Hell. Its just another word people use to try to describe it. Heaven is not feeling that way about being alive. Jesus is you when you realize it finally without backsliding. God is your brain and body functioning in sync. The devil is your shadow self manifesting and you recognizing it but not addressing it and telling it to lend you its strength and make you impervious to the weaknesses. Its why every religion is the same in every culture. Its just people thinking they have to learn how to think, but really they have to unlearn how to not think bullshit and negative solutions to that bullshit.

[@spn4473]

My mother kept all receipts of any money she spent on me: doctor bills, school receipts, personal possessions. She'd pull that box out every so often to remind me.... but never did it to my 3 older sisters.

[@koalatheworld]

😢 I am sorry to hear that.

[@vittenaeloisavibar1966]

Same situation

[@mariajmc6557]

sorry to hear that may the Lord Jesus be your help, love and strength

[@kaymack5304]

I was raised by a covert narcissist and an alcoholic. I wasn’t shown that I had any value. I was supposed to intuit that from the fact that I had food, shelter and clothing. I have always felt that if I am not providing value for someone there is no use for me. When I had my own kids, I showered them with love, never wanting them to feel what I had felt. One of my children has a condition that took almost all my time and energy so my firstborn was praised for not needing very much. Now she feels the same lack of value that I did. It’s so hard to forgive myself for the problems I have caused her. I am there for her now and as I go through therapy am able to help her more, but oh the guilt. How did I do the same thing, just in a different way? She is amazing and forgiving and loving, and I am just so sorry for making life harder for her.

[@yvetteandjorgenlarsen9753]

My goodness! Everyone reading this would tell you that if you could have predicted what your oldest child would go through years later, you would have done some things differently, because you love all your children. No perfect people exist, and no one can predict the future! I was shocked to hear some comments my college-age child made about certain things in their childhood. We were all abandoned, evicted, had to go on welfare because one of my babies had a 24/7 medical condition, so I couldn't work a job for 2 years. After that was resolved, I always had at least two jobs-- so you can bet that I defended myself against the complaints. I did the best I could every day, but we all make mistakes. I suffered so much childhood abuse that I didn't believe I'd live to be an adult, so for me, it was all gravy!

[@yamiletsoler3464]

As someone who was neglected and abused in so many ways, I have to tell you that you HAVE to forgive yourself, I'm sure your daughter has told you already, but I want to tell you as well that you ARE forgiven, especially because you really tried your best, you weren't dumping all of your problems on your firstborn, the situation occurred (of your other child being ill) and you did the best that you could, because you actually tried to give what you didn't receive as a child, and you're not making excuses now, you're admitting your fault, so i will dare to give you the forgiveness, at least by a comment, that you need to give yourself. I think that you should now, with the permission of your daughter of course, start over, and be a good mom while you can. The only type of mother that I wouldn't allow into my life again is an evil, narcissistic one. I'm sure your daughter wants to recover the care that she lost when she was a child.

[@kaymack5304]

@@yamiletsoler3464 thank you

[@lynnmckenna9934]

Those of us that feel like burdens attract friends who don’t want to help, but who count on us for help. So, the feeling of being a burden continues!

[@allenponce5223]

This video basically explains my life. It's also why I became self taught in many aspects. It also explains why I'm always alone and why people pleasing became so easy for me and and why I stuck with toxic people that at least shared a drop of kindness. The kicker here is though that even after hearing the why from this video, I still can't see what it would be like to not be this way since it's all I've ever known ... I've tried seeing mental health experts for years and never once did I feel like I got the help I needed but also people that have offered here and there over the years, I'm not sure how anyone could help me. The best idea I have is to serve God and pray that He makes me into what I'm supposed to be.

[@laurar8486]

I'm at a very difficult crossroads in my life right now, getting divorced from an abusive husband of 31 years who I tried to appease and people please from the very beginning. I do reach out to friends because I need help packing and moving, and moral support, but it is extremely hard for me to ask them because I don't want to be a burden. I could check off practically everything on those lists. I'm so thankful for your ministry, Tim. You're helping me understand my toxic childhood and how I ended up marrying an avoidant man who became emotionally abusive and eventually physically abusive. I listen to your videos all the time because I want the next chapter of my life to be fulfilling, healing and freeing. God bless you, and all those who are in the same boat.

[@Vexarax]

This is how I feel when interacting with other humans - like there’s something deep down that tells me I’m somehow burdening them if I want to speak with them as a friend, or even if I’m just in the same space as them I feel bad like I’m inconveniencing them 😭I’d definitely never ask anyone for help as it’s true people _do_ have their own issues… and yes I know I can’t look weak. I pride myself on NEVER needing help, I choose to suffer or be inconvenienced rather than seek any kind of help no matter what. My oven is broken but I won’t let anyone fix it 😢 I know I have to heal this somehow.. but I still don’t want to be a burden 😭

[@kdogW-iw6oq]

“You’re too sensitive, too needy, too much”

[@RebeccaCarter88]

This unlocked something and now I'm crying.

[@torasacramento4905]

As I read the chart - I ask myself at 61 - WHAT parent WASN'T like that in the 1950's and 60's? My Mom sighed and rolled her eyes A LOT - my Dad "escaped" this by being in the military and was always overseas... These series of Tim's help SO MUCH to see the origin of my "situation" lol

[@nompire_productions]

Good point. Certain generations have been huge on lack of transparency because of the protective style of communications in their families.

[@appleorange5180]

I had a whole comment relating to my childhood typed up...but then I deleted it because it got too long and I didnt want to be a burden to other comment readers 😅 Tl;dr - My parents were not narcissists, but indirectly taught me that airing any familial "dirty laundry" was the ultimate betrayal.

[@hlubideetz7614]

Gran is the same way.

[@jasonmuise7496]

What's odd is becoming independent because you have growing up, yet, when asking for help 99% are too busy. Or seen as i'm not worth helping through trauma eyes. So a guy can only ask for help so long before having to become a Jack of all things and master of one out of necessity. Or pre destiny ? Thank you. It's tough thinking a man has to know all see all be all to others but never see it come back round. I only know of One that has had my back my whole life. 😊 🙏

[@jamess6925]

Finding the middle ground in these parenting aspects to break any cycle of parenting in my kids so they don't carry shame or fear of being a burden.

[@HeyCoachBarbara]

This so spot on. I would also add, you don’t ask for help because you don’t want to have help others when they need help. It’s a “you worry about you and I will worry about me”. I’ve met people like that and it’s very sad because when you do help them, they’ll remind you that they didn’t ask you, you offered. The key takeaways from your videos is for me to become more self-aware and try to not be that person or that parent.

[@Mermare]

OMG, this is me to a T. Thank you for letting me feel seen. I'm not proud, but I am/was the only "adult" in the family.

[@IstandwithGaza111]

Am sending a viral hug to my inner child and every unheal inner child 💖

[@2rythm797]

Needs??? What needs? That word is not even allowed

[@yamiletsoler3464]

😢😢

[@moniquekendel5782]

This is the message i received in church. Never think of yourself. Sacrifice is the goal. The only joy you should experience is from giving all you are too others leaving nothing for yourself.

[@TwdlD]

Or... were and are constantly told 'No' to any of this so you stop asking because 'what's the point'?

[@mnoxman]

As a victim of both parents (not to mention teachers and peers) being narcicists it was never said to me in so many words but in the lack of opening the wallet and in support (or lack there of) spoke more than the "no your not a burden dear" (you could hear under the breath 'your f-ing anvil').

[@WilliamMcAdams]

It's estimated that 1% of the human population are narcissistic. If you are in the US, that means roughly 1.6 million adults and 1.6 million adolescents. Is it more likely that so many people in your life are narcissists? Or that you are generalizing? It's important, because labeling someone a "narcissist" is often dehumanizing behavior. A signal that you can treat them "less than."

[@bloohaus8670]

Understanding doesn't take away the hurt and pain, but it gives light to the path forward...

[@October8816]

wow. i needed this. for 36 years i needed this. better late than never. finding understanding is always refreshing. its always a God thing.

[@UniqueCuriousMakeupArtist]

WOW! This speaks to my heart and very core. I always say that I don’t want to be a burden, an inconvenience, or a hindrance to others. I’m stubbornly independent, to a fault. Others don’t understand why I don’t reach out for help; as you just pointed out, I would be perceived as weak. This all roots from my father literally abandoning me, as a preteen, because it was too far to drive for visitation. Even when I humbled myself to approach him, now as a teenager, I cheerily introduced myself as his daughter, he coldly walked away, saying nothing, no emotions; he just simply walked away as if I wasn’t present, into his residence, and shut the door. This further confirmed my thoughts of not being wanted, and seen as an inconvenience. He was a cold abusive man, to the whole family unit, with narcissistically psychopathic traits. He enjoyed the very punishments he commenced onto others, with absolutely no remorse. Thank you for sharing this, as it helps me connect the dots of “why”… I have reached out to a professional cleaner/organizer. My second step of self-care, after investing in 20+ years of therapy. 🙏🏻

[@AnnaCuriousa]

As I was going through the questionnaire I was bewildered because I thought it was a normal thing to do...

[@marilynminer677]

Another variation - asking for help and parent taking over the task saying they can handle it (and you obviously can't) and doing it their way. Without instruction or explanation or offering incremental assistance. So asking for help is like "giving up". Or asking for help and being told to "just ignore it". Including way you feel about it. Same parent both instances, and never quite sure which one you'd get. Grew into "I can figure this out better for myself if I just 'sit with it' for awhile, and try taking small steps." And, minimizing my own difficulties too...along with moments of catastrophizing my own problems (overwhelmed). Best way I've found is connecting with Sprit and learning to trust that and go with that, one step at a time.

[@mischeveusme]

Thank you. I will take back my vulnerability.

[@deborahflowers5992]

Thank you I thought I was alone in this. Everything you've said is exactly what I've experienced. Started from my father and my last 2 relationships. I thank God I randomly googled the subject of being a burden. Thank you. I no longer feel as crazy as I believed I was from this monstrous master manipulative man I was with 24 years. An 10 with another partner. One used words and one used his fist. The power they need is unreal.

[@marvinasimswewinqueendom2543]

This was difficult to listen to but extremely therapeutic. I believe I’ve experienced all of the reasons you’ve provided. If not by my mom then by others who I trusted. God bless you for this one! Very much needed 💝

[@DwayneTheFoolosopher]

I'm 39 and struggling not to cry at this video. Almost all of this is my childhood.

[@d2finch]

I feel you. I am 57 and currently crying. Hugs to you.

[@keithboyer3908]

I knew from studying your lectures on complex trauma that one of my deep wounds is feeling like a burden. It was so very difficult noticing over 90% of the symptoms and the causes were to be checked off for me. Every new slide I would need to pause for extensive periods of time. It took me about 50 minutes to get through this one video. Which is extremely out of character. My focus kept leaping to distractions and even to write a poem which I never do, but would like to. It seemed like "yeah, I know all this already. I know it applies to me." And even with the intent to drill into it, something keeps trying to pull me away from looking at this. And because I've noticed how powerful the resistance is, I know unfathomable power, capability, and confidence rest on the other side. The ego used to be able to distract me from things. I've just learned to run towards that which my body is afraid of. That trick no longer works because I've flipped my conscious response to it with the simple acknowledgement that life's greatest desires rest on the other side of fear. I'm very grateful to say that after experiencing Somatic Therapy, I've evolved into an entity who is allowed to feel emotions without being overwhelmed by them. I may now make decisions with emotions as contributing information rather than they determining an automatic course of action. I'm sure obviously I still have automatic reactions. But now I have the ability to consciously face the dragons, as Jordan Peterson calls it. Thank you Tim Fletcher. You gave me the knowledge necessary to acquire the help I didn't know I needed. I've made more progress this year seemingly than in my entire life where I adapted an interest in psychology. It truly is remarkable what having a path may do for ourselves. Most gratefully I'll take your lessons and further study and understand the implications across multiple levels of analysis concerning the spheres of influence I'm affected by.

[@Koresz]

When I was in high school, I already knew my father and most of my family were not just simply strict, conservative, authoritarian or old-fashioned, but rather severely insane. So I cried for help from peers, but they all just sent me to hell telling me that I'm just playing the victim, I just want to draw attention to myself and so on. Today, due to my inability to trust people, I have only one friend who I can trust, but a lot of times I'm very afraid that I already lost her due to still learning about people's boundaries, and other even smaller mistakes for still not having knowledge about several interpersonal stuffs. This is why I rarely talk to her and never reach out to anyone in need for help.

[@OliveWeitzel]

All of this is true for me! 🕊 You make me cry...😢 My "parent" was my grandma.

[@ThatBlackGuy1616]

I both love and hate stumbling across these videos. On one hand, they speak to me and help me unlock and learn things I never really realized. It makes me sad and mourn the idea of the childhood I thought I had and understand what I really went through and how it had shaped me as an adult. God I need therapy 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@bv3635]

You have described all parents. Why would anyone want to become a parent when being a human being means this list of ways to screw up your child? This list is everyone!

[@OliveWeitzel]

All my answers are YES...😢

[@laurar8486]

Bingo! I was thinking the same thing. 🎯

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

Same. Usually, for these kinds of evaluations, where you pick the things that fit you, I hit on a few, a few are borderline, and a few are a miss. For example, online ASD evals, I come up slightly on the spectrum. For ADHD, I come up as somewhat that way, etc. This one? Boom, hit on almost all of them! Seems like maybe I've learned something here

[@JennyOPKush]

So this is why ... Thank you so much. You save me from my own hell, Tim.

[@artbysid]

This lecture by Tim is spot on. Seems like the owners of social media apps knew of this and exploited it by helping us fulfill or unmet needs with social media..what a tangled web. Thank you Tim!

[@artbysid]

P.S. A memory came to me and just wondering if anyone can relate. So when I was younger I got bullied a lot and when I went to my mother for comfort she would tell me that I shouldn't listen to that stuff because to her I was a good child etc. For context the tone my mother said this was in a tough, assertive let's move on and not feel sorry for ourselves tone which bordered on dismissive... Over time it did kinda become dismissive because to her she felt like why waste your time on none sense ... I am not putting her way of parenting me down as she had a very difficult life in Europe growing up.. I think that as a kid who was sensitive I wanted wanted her to sooth the pain I felt from the bullying and sit with me as I was very sensitive and still hurting over the divorce. Can anyone relate, so the parent cares however the way they try to sooth you is too tough for your character and age... Some may read this and say why complain your parent cared however I am explaining this from my view. Cause later in life I can tell you I didn't ask for my needs to get meet...felt guilty. And lately for context my Dad was a narc and shamed the heck outta me for being so sensitive and crying over things. My goal is to heal and these videos and comment section are helpful so I figured I'd share.. Thanks

[@silver_surfer88]

​@@artbysidI think I get you, I didn't want to bother my mother or father with that kind of " small things in that happens in any children life" . My parents raised us as an old school mentality, that you are not anyone, you have no rights because you are a child, only adults have priorities

[@silver_surfer88]

@@Felix-v8g1d kinda sucks but that is the way many 70-80s parents would be I guess

[@theodorurhed]

​@@artbysidshe was definitely unable to meet your emotional needs. What she said to you only echoed her beliefs about what she thought she deserved to hear herself so no doubt she was also a wounded/scarred person. Imagine yourself as a parent to a child, what would you say or do with yourself in that situation? Would you not seek to comfort the child? Let the child feel the hurt of being bullied? Think about transferring the child to a safer environment where it could thrive without fear?

[@snowchan8470]

I didn't even know a healthy home actually exists. I just thought that everybody got their own childhood trauma or whatever trauma, so it's just part of life to deal/cope with difficult people throughout our lives. So for me, (let's just say) being an understanding person, try not to burden others. I always try to adjust to other's needs and neglect my own because that's what a "good" person is -they are not selfish/self-centered.

[@justagirl6761]

DAMN. I had ALL of the signs of feeling like a burden(until I started to work through them). But my parents were not narcissistic and didn't sigh or anything.They just kept making so many sacrifices for me and putting my neesds above their own and I couldn't bear that. They were poor and so were workaholics but they weren't exasperated with me... I just decided myself that they have so many problems to worry about I can't be another one. They definitely expected me to be perfect tho........so I also struggle with perfectionism paralysis and procrastination At least this really HAS made me strong and self sufficient and capable I have slowly started to see progress but some things will probably never change

[@elizabethstamper477]

I know 100% how you feel! Working through this myself. Then you feel twice as shameful because youre aware that you are fortunate to have 2 loving parents yet youre too young to help them financially. Praying for you! Love and light to you sweet friend

[@justagirl6761]

@@elizabethstamper477 thank you! I'm praying for you too! I am actually doing so much better and I am in a great place in life right now. I hope you are too! Or that you will be, soon! And I know EXACTLY what you mean with feeling guilty and ashamed for this but you don't need to. It can be true that you had great parents and that you still have stuff to work through from your childhood. These things can be true at once. And you can be grateful while also understanding and aknowledging what could have been better. It's okay. Don't let yourself feel ashamed for this anymore( I know myself it's way easier said than done but It can be done). It's okay. Feeling that shame also comes from feeling we are burdens, from feeling that we don't deserve the good things we have. But honestly...we would never look at another random person and tell them they are a burden... so we shouldn't be doing it to ourselves. We should treat ourselves like a best friend would. Realizing this helped me. And if I had a child I would do everything I could for that child because I want to give love to him/her, not because it would be my duty/ burden to do so. It would pain me if my kid refused my love or felt guilty for receiving it so I shouldn't do this to my parents either. I hope this helps you too! I hope you have a wonderful life and peace with yourself!

[@JennyG.COW5]

Bingo! That last one is me! I was born with a severe heart condition. In addition to the stressers of taking care of me with my medical condition, we only found out after many years that due to several operations with the heart/ lung machine, my mental development was different from most kids. And we Finally were told this when I was an early Teenager!! Eye rolling, sighing, and critical remarks have all been a thing. Also, while one Parent choose to point out something else I needed to "do", my other Parent would unload their complaints and emotional issues.

[@GheorgheSpinu-k2u]

Normotim helps me avoid fixating on negativity during tough times.

[@nikia737]

breaks my heart to know so many of us are taken for granted and not treated as a human in basic needs so we create a warped self n see that as our normal...

[@Peace-ys6nt]

never thought of my self sufficiency or independence this way, but if they tell you enough times “you don’t need anyone” you begin to believe it. that is so mean

[@tnpm718]

It's always been extremely important to me to be independent and to keep my dignity, so I actually never asked anybody except my parenents for help. People always say that you only should dare to ask for help and then you will be helped. So I tried to do that. I asked friends and therapists. With the result that I either received no help at all or some that -well- didn't help me. Then you either feel bad for asking too much and for having revealed your neediness. Or you're being communicated that it's your fault if their help was not what you would have needed. I seem to only be made for giving help, not for receiving it. But I really begin to loose motivation...

[@the10th90]

My mum had cancer when I was a preteen and eventually passed after a hideous few years of being treated and in and out of hospital. It's been 25 years since then and I've never really understood my own behaviour and how I hate feeling like a burden to others but could never articulate that that's what I was feeling. Everything he said here *clicked*.

[@soulspiritdebv]

Okay, this is painfully accurate. All of it.

[@lindah1515]

Thank you for this information. I am 81 and it is yes to all the questions. I still feel I can't ask, because people will say no. Or just don't show up. I have to work way to hard for my age and health. I am the one always helping others, risking my health, well being and finances. I also feel abandoned by everyone.

[@ursalaminor8457]

Exactly.!! Also shocked by how sharp this diagnostic is and how completely useless years of effort to find “help” from the psychological industry.

[@Dumbledoresarmy13]

Some of those are so specific and accurate it's scary.

[@hawkbit3787]

These videos are so helpful. Learning more about CT helps me to have self compassion which is very hard but I believe is the first step to any kind of healing. Thank you for putting these on YT.

[@sophiapeters8206]

Woah! You've just described my life. Im 18 for 18 on the burden list, and both parents are just like the one on the list. The thing that hurts the most is seeing the parent dote on other kids and praise those kids for being awesome TO YOU while in the same breath shame and ridicule you.

[@najrenchelf2751]

One thing that is helping me right now is to twist it: How willing am I to help people even when I'm busy? - pretty willing. So, why shouldn't others be equally as willing to help me? ...of course, not perfect, but it can serve as encouragement to at least ask!

[@StandupGirl-ym3ey]

Yea strange dynamic with my mom and dad! My mom was TOO dependent on us! Emotionally , physically, financially! She spiritually manipulated us to control us! Honor thy mother !! We weren’t supposed to need or want anything because she was so sick and “we didn’t know how sick she was”! But We STILL needed her! My dad was in the military , absent and only sent child support! One time I called him and he answered not saying hello but “ I don’t have any money”! Lol My mom used to put me up to asking him for it when I was younger! I got older and only wanted relationship but that didnt happen!

[@VickyPrinsloo-s1d]

Wow! I am 49! Now I know why I am that way. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@alpineazalea8029]

This hit me so hard. Gave me words that I didn't have to explain what I experienced

[@JCJMC21]

I remember all those things happening and being true as a kid. I also know I’m putting my own kids through it even though I’m trying not to.

[@hil6578]

We all wounded in some ways. Just be kind to yourself and others

[@ginnymugure9215]

Our oldest sibling is autistic, and that in itself puts strain on a family. His needs had to come before anyone else's and my other brother and I knew at an early age that he needed more care. So there was no narcissm, just the reality of a difficult situation with a special needs child. This got my dad into drinking so he wasn't emotionally available for us, though he provided financially when he was alive. I didn't want to ever be a burden to add stress to an already stressful situation. I was praised for being the good, responsible one though. I help take care of my family to date, helping take care of my mum, now that she is unwell, and also my siblings especially supporting financially. I also just seem to see other's needs as so much more complex than mine so I don't know how to even share problems with friends and ask for help though I will try help them when they have needs.

[@sloth6247]

Like the videos people! This is priceless information you won't find everywhere.

[@melaniemanning2462]

I once asked my mom to come watch one of my softball games. She responded, "Why would I want to do that? I hate baseball." That describes her parenting pretty well. But, unlike a lot of people, she wanted to do better. She knew that her horrible childhood robbed her of knowing how to be a parent and how to even love. It has taken her 30 years, and it doesn't excuse her mistakes, but I appreciate that she has worked hard and trying to be a good mom now. I'm trying to heal from that childhood.

[@barbsamuels9692]

Yep. We were never allowed to share anything outside of my immediate family. Could only talk during commercials. I talk a lot but dont say the stuff that would make people focus on ME, personally. Feel invisible. Feel fake. But, i am working on changing my brain. Wish me luck!

[@nonofinn7136]

I was too much, apparently. I was just a kid. Thank you so much, Tim for your very kind manner and knowledge. You have helped me a lot.

[@Иная]

This is so simple, oh my god. Like feelings out of my soul got turned into words and sentences😭

[@sophbird8215]

I feel bad for having this issue, because I genuinely don’t think that in other circumstances my parents would have treated my issues the way they did. My younger sister is autistic with very high support needs, and in all the attention they gave my sister, they often ended up brushing me aside because I “should be able to understand” and “didn’t need as much help”. And while they’re both true, I think I ended up with this fear of being a burden. I’ve talked with my parents about this again later as an adult, and my mother admitted that they did brush aside my problems more than they should have. They’ve tried, they really have tried, to be better now, they’ve jumped to help me in whatever ways they can, but I feel like I’m stuck in this mindset now. I’ve been going through a lot of issues with depression and anxiety lately, but I’ve felt so incapable of reaching out to anyone for it that I inadvertently drove myself into that feeling of being abandoned. Especially since my friends have been going through a lot of things themselves. It’s a terrible cycle.

[@skylarneal5844]

Holy crap. Between my mom and my step dad I related to every single one of these points and I never knew it wasn’t just normal…

[@goldola1935]

My mum once said, "if you see my children you will respect me," and i was like wtf. I think my mum sometimes sees me as a trophie. This is the worst feeling in the world😢😥.

[@bearscenario5800]

Wow, i have never felt so seen and validated. This was so insightful.

[@LadyIsLucky]

I feel so seen and deeply understood watching your videos. Thank you. 🙏

[@hannabio2770]

This is so sad... But thank you so much for posting it! It's important information! And you did really good job with explaining something so complicated in a simple manner! 🙏

[@szszszsz95395]

This is EXACTLY like my parents were like. To the neighborhood kids, they were heroic. But, to their own kids, they were evil. True Evil. Intentionally inflicting pain on others for their only peace of mind. Greedy. Narcissistic. Sociopathic.

[@donlange1491]

Was passed back and forth between divorced parents and beaten/abused by both. Never wanted anywhere. Never went to the same school 2 years in a row, sometimes it was 2 or more schools in the same year. Was told by mother "you're just like your father" and vice-versa, in a hateful tone. Now, I'm 60, still trying to figure out what and how to fix what is screwed up in me by my parents. Many failed relationships, failed marriage, so much so that I have given up on having a family. Im always alone, sometimes it's better to be alone than to have to try to deal with people, but I wish it weren't this way. I could go on and on, but I think I made the point.

[@shaimaaelmansoury4121]

Thank you

[@harshitajaiswal555]

We will have to accept that all of us won't be raised by mature individuals who would care about our emotional wellbeing too. This is a part of the game. The chances of getting raise by an inconsiderate one are pretty high. Its better to accept and try to let go. Re-discover our own interests and achieve that. And at one point we will have to find that love, affection, security in self within. Instead of stopping at seeing signs of neglect, we must all move beyond to heal.

[@Summer_and_Rain]

The sighs and crying over being a bad parent. was my primary parent, where the other one is a narc... When you look at it that way, it makes sense I feel like a burden.

[@liahlove8297]

Wow.. this explains a lot. Thank you sir!

[@cristina4449-t9h]

All of number 2 applies. That is because I have tried or done a to g, but in the end I received nothing. It still boils down to "help yourself". And because of that I have learned not to ask to be a "burden" anymore to anyone. Learned that no one can help me and so I have to depend on myself alone and be able to survive without their help. But the parent relationship thing, no it does not apply to me. Its just the way I have seen the world works and treated us and so we have learned to help ourselves. Only very few probably who can help you, those people who can be with you thru thick and thin.

[@shinobukocho4439]

How vulnerable i feel its ineffable to the point if someone even approaches me i feel they are lying or they have any needs or they want something in return from me. I can't even rely on anyone i feel like im the only one i have and i was born to serve others. I don't know how to get out of this im turning into a stone each day

[@ashtri21]

You can try to be kind to yourself, you are not stupid, ugly, to be used or any of those things. The constant truth is - Life is full of ups and downs, pain and joy. Be kind to yourself. Be a friend to you.

[@marinakukso]

Great video, thank you. This is an important issue for many of us with CPTSD.

[@dutchberean2804]

At 66, finding out my family wasn't what I thought it was. I've been so sad for so long. I been praying ,God I don't want anynstuff, I just wish I could be happy the time I got left here. And he led me to this . I have so much anger. My parents weren't nice, and I thought it was me. That's what they told me. Love really is blind. I think I was a pretty good parent, even with all the struggles of being a single parent. Of course I married the biggest narcissist I could find and he beat me mercilesly. I'm glad my stay on this planet is almost over. It will be such a relief.

[@milanaisms]

I pray you find hope in your life sooner than later

[@sarahpearl4395]

God hears your prayers and your tears are treasured in his skin bottle - Psalms 56:8 You can find peace despite your difficult past. If you ever want to talk lmk :)