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[quote=Anonymous]My family is incredibly dysfunctional. Various family members are often in a state of crisis, they are constantly in conflict with one another. They also attempt to start conflict with me or to draw me into their conflict.

To deal with this, I have chosen to live far away and I have adopted a strategy of detachment from pretty much all of their drama. I will tell them I love them, I will visit occasionally and host occasionally and seek to enjoy their company. But I don't engage with their crises. I do't attempt to save them or even get involved in their various marital issues, drug and alcohol dependencies, mental health diagnoses, and the many, many internal family squabbles. I just stay out of it as much as I can. It seems to work okay and I think it's the one thing allowing me to maintain relationships with them at this point.

Does anyone else do this? How is it going?

I think I've made the right choice but I also feel incredibly isolated in it. Sometimes I interact with the families of friends and it honestly causes me pain sometimes to see what a functional family dynamic looks like, and how fulfilling those relationships can be.

If you can relate, I'd love to hear your story. I'm just looking to feel a little less alone in this right now. I work hard to practice acceptance and I do an okay job at it, but tonight I'm feeling sad.[/quote]

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