I've recently identified a tendency in me that whenever I'm going through a (thankfully rare) personal crisis, I find it extremely emotionally hard to bear to be around other people who seem to be sailing through life.
To be specific, when I went through my divorce a few years back I had to cancel plans a couple of times, meeting dear friends with happy, intact family units.
Most recently I'm finding it quite upsetting to be around my lovely partner (of six years) and his amazing, well-adjusted kids. It throws my current situation into sharp relief - I'm supporting my daughter through an eating disorder right now, and it’s really bloody difficult.
Instead of enjoying a lovely couple of days away with DP + kids, I instead found myself quite tearful at the contrast. Ended up feeling thoroughly lonely as I didn't feel able to express my woes. Didn't feel fair to put that on him.
I guess it's not dissimilar from being triggered by scan pictures when all you want is a baby or having to dig deep to congratulate someone on a big splashy expense when you're struggling to make ends meet.
I don't want to make other people feel bad just for living their lives and I don't want to isolate myself.
Should I a) create some distance and avoid triggering situations for a bit, or b) get over myself and be happy for others?