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Is this normal?

1 reply

UniqueGoldNewt · 24/08/2025 12:31

Hi, just trying to make sense of why I do things and have my life. For background- i have been through a lot from a young age. All types of abuse on myself including sexual from a parent, witnessed domestic abuse, disassociating from a very young age etc. Then as an adult being diagnosed with lots of issues as a result of the childhood i had & other events such as r@pe, other crimes against me. I also got betrayed by lots of people including best friends I held for over 10 years who I grew up with.
now, I don’t know if I have genuinely given up on life low-key and it’s passive but I constantly keep to myself now. I only speak to my best friend and my boyfriend now- I won’t speak to acquaintances, old friends or even my cousin at times. I feel it gives me control of my life for the first time cos I never had that and I think it’s a protective mechanism i have- I never used to be like this I used to thrive off many friendships and interactions but now I prefer to keep my world very simple with family and these two people outside the family that I can trust and genuinely have great relationships with. I feel like I don’t tolerate bad treatment toward myself now and when my on&off ex attempted to contact me out of the blue, I ignored and DIDNT get that toxic excitement that I used to. I feel more calmer and balanced in myself and life and choose to live a peaceful life now but I can isolate when I feel down. So im just wondering if this is normal?
did anyone else go like this?

OP posts:
AgentPidge · 24/08/2025 16:37

You're protecting yourself - building up a wall against being hurt again. Totally normal and understandable, given what you've been subjected to in the past by people you trusted. You had no control, and you're trying to take back control.

I'm sorry for that child that experienced those awful things. You were massively let down by the people who should have protected you. Take your time, OP. You're doing the right thing. Hopefully one day you'll find yourself able to trust other people again.

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