I don’t want to burden my family – how can I usefully vent?

Answered by Margaret

what I tried….

I had one friend who was particularly good at listening and I felt like she understood what I was saying. She told me I could talk to her if I needed to. We set up a regular coffee date with her once a fortnight and use that time to really get stuff off my chest. It was only for an hour and I made sure I told her this was why I wanted to catch up with her – she was really happy to lend me an ear and help me get it out.

what I said….

I don’t need any advice, I just need to spill my guts!

what I thought about….

“I love the support from my brothers and sisters but I don’t want to burden them with my worries because they’ll feel bad and want to do something about it. I just need a neutral party to talk to.”

A bit about my me & my caring situation

Margaret and her husband Jim cared for her mother in their own home for a number of years. Margaret and her Mum had a close relationship but Margaret worried about many things to do with her caring role and the impact of it on her relationships.