I can use some help with emotions and developing healthy coping mechanisms. I have been coming out to some selective friends and family for the better part of a year. Lately I have been getting less than positive responses from some of my closest friends and it is getting to me. I had breakfast this morning with friend of 35 years. I have been there for him for decades, helping him with projects, family problems, life problem support, what ever. If he asked I was always there. When I turn out to be different than he is comfortable with he is unable to be there for me. Yes it hurts quite a bit but this is not my question. I am fully aware that not everyone will stay with me. My question is what am I to do with how I feel. I can feel rejected and hurt and take on the victim role, but this is not what I want Anne to be. I am not a victim. My old way of dealing with it was to tough it out and not "Feel" it, you know, do the manly thing. But this tough it out role and not admit feeling anything is exactly what I am fleeing in becoming Anne. I will not give up feeling life for anything. So I refuse to take the victim role and I refuse to take the tough it out and man up role, both of these seem to be losing what Anne is all about. Can any of you suggest a healthy path to grow from when these emotional hammers hit? How do you cope through the tough stuff?
Anne
