Familiarity Breeds Contempt…or Is It Showing You an Abusive Friendship?
Those little jabs and put-downs might be more damaging than you think
“familiarity breeds contempt (saying) — knowing someone or something very well may cause you to lose admiration and respect for them/it” — Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
What do you tolerate in the name of love? Whether it be the love of romance, family, or friendship? How far will you go before you say “Enough!” and stop allowing others to treat you in a way that doesn’t feel good? Do you love and respect your Self as much as you love those who say hurtful things to you?
Like many others, as a child I grew up in a toxic, angry environment that laid the groundwork for some powerful life lessons. They would offer an education and opportunities for healing in issues of abuse, boundaries, standing up for myself, and so much more.
It would take decades for me to chip away at them as they came at me one after another. Sometimes a tidal wave, sometimes a mere ripple as a reminder of previous learning. Shapeshifters they were…wearing disguises like love, whether in romance, promising “happily ever after,” or in family, where I trusted…
