I actually am still mistreated by my father's family. When I told Grandma I was graduating college after 5 years, she said (and I quote): "Your cousin (same one that got married) did it in 4 years, and your other cousin did it in 3." There's a hundred other little slights along the way that I could talk about ( ... )

That's really good advice. I really need to work on the not depending on them for emotional support part, just because I don't really know where else to go for that. I'm so used to masking myself for the benefit and approval of my family that I don't even really know who I am anymore. So it's hard to befriend people because I'm not exactly forthcoming. I guess I lack the confidence I need to establish a support system outside of my family. But I'm working on it ( ... )