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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Blaming others

5 replies

purpleberry11 · 18/01/2020 10:28

Hi
I am a woman in her 40s and have posted previously before that I had an emotional affair with a man a few years back.
Divorce and the ea backed off and lost everything . Children are involved and I have 50 50 with exh
I totally understand that I got what I deserverd.
But still searching for a different angle on why I still blame my exh and my affair partner.
I did the chasing, and knew what I wanted.
But got nothing in the end. And now bitter and lonely
But won't allow my mind to accept this, a constant battle within my brain. With me blaming others.
If I was seeing this from an outside perspective. It would appear obvious.
Any ideas ladies on how to move on past this.
Tried loving myself, therapy. But this is only short lived and then slip back into this negative way.

OP posts:
RLEOM · 18/01/2020 10:30

I would try and delve deeper into yourself through the help of a counsellor.

Lilacpheonix · 18/01/2020 11:00

Projection is perception. The guilt and shame about your actions are being projected into rage and blame. It's much easier to blame others than blame yourself.

However, you have an insight of yourself-otherwise you wouldn't be writing about this in this forum. That's a positive step. I would recommend the book "the shadow effect" though it is a little god-centric in places. It has helped me immeasurably alongside therapy.

I also like this poem by Rumi. Every so often humans make mistakes that they bury inside them due to the shame, the problem is these things will never go away, they will only be projected in other behaviours-as, I believe you are experiencing now.

"This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond."
Rumi.

purpleberry11 · 18/01/2020 11:58

Thank your Rumi

OP posts:
dontgobaconmyheart · 18/01/2020 12:52

We blame others when we cannot face dealing with taking full responsibility for what we've done, when that is too hard because the truth hurts- especially when the truth is that you feel you'd be better off and happier, and have more now- if you hadn't have made the decision you made.

Looking for ways to blame an affair partner (who colluded with you in your downfall) or an ex who 'contributed' by pushing you away (or whatever) so you felt the need to start an affair- are defence mechanisms which are designed to shield you from a more painful (but truthful) perspective whereby you were the architect of your own downfall.

I think its about finding the positive in that really, and moving on knowing you learnt from it, there is no one chance to be happy, and in the same way you are always the architect of your own life- that can be used to create a healthier one. You are the captain of your own ship and all.

I would certainly try therapy again OP if it's holding you back, or CBT to try and break out of repetitive patterns of thought.

purpleberry11 · 18/01/2020 15:00

Thank you, definitely some wise words to mull over, it's so simple but can't see beyond the haze

OP posts:
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