This is what I call Boomer Energy. It’s a serious illness that many-a-boomers have but luckily I’ve figured out how to manage it (note I also love a lot of boomers so this isn’t a hate comment toward an entire generation, just a general trend I see amongst some of them).
Anyways, I’m well versed in Boomer Energy and whether you live abroad or back home, the qualities of said boomer will not change. If you were to move home you’ll see these ugly qualities reappear in new situations and scenarios.
My advice: I’m not one for cutting people out, but be mindful of their toxic qualities and when they start doing their ugly song and dance ignore their comments. I also create distance- I’ll still spend time with them in multi person settings but otherwise I don’t go out of my way to send a lot of texts or make 1:1 plans. I also give my attention to other people in a group setting as well so they start to register that maybe somethings off with your relationship and correct the way they act.
It’s the fictitious negative assumptions that really get me. For example, your brother didn’t care that you didn’t pay him for the lift, yet your mom made up a story in her head and caused a whole thing over nothing. If there is a term for this other than delusional, I need to know.
Oh man, I’ve been on the bread and cheese diet too. It’s amazing what you can do with that combo- throw some mustard on, toast it, don’t toast it, maybe some marinara or ketchup 😅