I’ve been estranged from my family for a few years now and while I’m at peace with it, I still dread that moment when someone new asks about them, especially men I’m dating. I know people mean well but there’s always that flicker of judgement, that sense that family estrangement equals red flag or drama. It’s exhausting having to explain or justify something that took years of pain and clarity to decide.
AIBU to feel anxious about sharing that part of my life with a new partner or is it just better to be upfront and risk being misunderstood early on?