My DM has history of being a little controlling and overstepping boundaries. Often it’s clumsy, over involved comments rather than intentionally unkind. I’m late 30s. She is mid 50s. Her own parents were extremely critical of everyone and everything. As she is getting older and I am more aware (had therapy recently), I am unable to ignore some of her comments. We have nice moments together and she is desperate for a close relationship. I am cautious and try to manage things to avoid past pain being triggered.
Today I mentioned I am meeting someone senior in my industry tomorrow. She immediately started telling me what to wear to impress them. I felt 5 years old again and as if I cannot be trusted to dress smartly. I’m into fashion and dress very normally for work.
I’m finding it hard to shake off the comment. A friend says her mum says stuff like this all the time or that her outfit isn’t nice etc. she said it’s normal mum/daughter stuff and if they can’t tell you, no one will.