The caller's anger and resentment stem from the psychological abuse and manipulation she endured for almost two years. The abuse included constant belittling, threats, and a breakdown of her confidence, leading to a loss of trust and a sense of personal betrayal. The trauma of the experience has left lasting emotional scars, making it difficult for her to let go.
The fiancé is loyal to his employer and business partner, who treated him differently from the caller. He sees the invitation as a courtesy and a way to maintain a professional relationship. However, this decision has created significant conflict in their relationship.
The caller feels that her fiancé's loyalty to his employer overshadows his support for her. This stems from his inability to acknowledge the abuse she endured and his lack of empathy towards her experience. The caller perceives this as a loyalty dilemma, where her fiancé seems more invested in protecting his relationship with the employer than standing up for her.
The caller's difficulty in letting go is rooted in the deep psychological impact of the abuse. She feels a lack of validation and acknowledgment of her experience, both from her former boss and her fiancé. The trauma has left her questioning her own sanity and self-worth, making it hard to move on without closure.
The caller seeks validation from her fiancé to feel understood and supported. She wants him to acknowledge the severity of the abuse and the impact it had on her. Without this validation, she feels isolated and invalidated, which exacerbates her anger and resentment.
The caller believes her fiancé has a higher tolerance for emotionally unstable people due to his upbringing. He is used to such behavior and sees it as less of an issue, which is why he can remain composed and unaffected by the boss's actions. This difference in coping styles has created a significant divide in their relationship.
The caller feels that her fiancé's lack of acknowledgment is a major issue because it invalidates her experience and makes her feel unsupported. She wants him to recognize the abuse she endured and show empathy. This lack of acknowledgment is a significant barrier to resolving the conflict and moving forward in their relationship.
Imagine meeting the love of your life at work. And a few months in, you want to keep the guy but ditch the job. Which is fine—until your fiancé wants to invite your evil ex-boss to the wedding. In this Esther Calling a young woman seeks advice from Esther on how to handle the conflict arising with her fiancé and his decision to invite her former abusive boss to their wedding.
Esther Callings are a one time, 45-60 minute interventional phone call with Esther. They are edited for time, clarity, and anonymity. If you have a question you would like to talk through with Esther, send a voice memo to [email protected].
Esther’s two new courses on desire are now available inside The Desire Bundle. Go to https://www.estherperel.com/course-bundles/the-desire-bundle to learn more about Bringing Desire Back and Playing with Desire.
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