Women are Good for Only Two Things and Most Can't Cook

Stefan Gives Up

I reference the above meme and video from Stefan Molyneux in today's post.  They both encapsulate modern marriage.  Basically, women really believe what they've been shoveling.  They refuse to take responsibility for anything big or small.  Single mother? The man's fault (in reality she didn't choose well).  Husband has emotionally checked out?  He's an a#$hole (in reality she's such a pain in the a#$ to live with that he can't wait to die).  Kids are messed up?  They just won't listen (in reality she spends more time looking at her phone than interacting with kids).
 

The modern woman is narcissistic.  She does not care about anyone else's feelings on any matter.  The fact that someone may have a different point of view is an anathema to her.  The modern woman just really does not care much beyond herself.  Most of the time, they choose the easy path of just blaming others for their own problems and mistakes.  It is much easier to do this than be held accountable and be expected to learn and grow as a human being.  Instead, they stay as an adolescent, emotionally.

To hold a woman accountable is an exercise in futility.  They will lash out with the intent of destroying the person that actually is holding responsible for their actions.  It is far easier to destroy than create.  In destroying the person that makes even the slightest comment that seems even remotely critical, the onus is taken off of the woman to become introspective and work towards improvement.

I give you today's blow-up: I received an email regarding something vitaly important for our business.  I addressed it with Sybil.  In the course of the conversation, while I am still talking with her, she picks up her phone and starts looking at it.  Not a word as to why.  I let her know that I feel disrespected.  Her response?  "I thought you were just rambling".  Oh, really?....Rambling?  Silly me....I thought I was talking to my wife and business partner.

Now, if I were dealing with a fully formed human, Sybil would recognize that what she did could be construed as disrespectful and apologize.  Well, she just wears that skin suit.  Underneath, I am not sure what she is but it ain't human.  Instead, she goes into a vocal dissertation of how I deserve it because of our conversation the night before in which I was vague about how much money our business can provide personally.  I never said I wasn't vague.  Our business does well but the monies coming in can fluctuate.  This is something that she knows.  Somehow this allows her to be rude.

I give up.  I cannot be the only adult in this "marriage".  As I have written before, I am not going to be the one to ask for a divorce (call it stubbornness, pride, whatever), but I will not beg her to stay.  If being married to me is that horrible that she has to make both of us miserable, then she should just do us all a favor and leave.

Resentment...The Never Ending Story

Definition of resentment

: a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Well...haven't posted in awhile.  Nothing has really changed.  I am still working on myself and how I interact with Sybil.  Old habits die hard.I could document another blow-up with Sybil.  Short version: she likes to work; undertakes a project and focuses on it exclusively; supposedly wanted to be near me whilst working; kept bedroom light on thereby making it impossible for me to sleep.  When confronted she went into full defensive mode up to and including making herself the victim.  She even threw our 6 yo under the bus.  Did not really take responsibility for her uncaring attitude.  Continued indignation at being called out.Per WebMD:Resentment describes a negative emotional reaction to being mistreated. There is no one cause of resentment, but most cases involve an underlying sense of being mistreated or wronged by another person. The right solution for resentment depends mainly on its cause and the individual. The path to healing involves forgiveness and finding a way to make peace with what happened so you can move on with life. I am the poster child of someone with resentment.  I try to let it go.  I really, really do.  I do not think resentment can be let go, since I am living with the person causing it.  The wounds are never allowed to heal, as new ones are created.Resentment manifests itself in many ways, but for me there are mainly two:I was much more quick to anger.  I say "was" because I have worked mightily at "Grey Rock".  It helps me maintain my center and deal with Sybil.The biggest manifestation is a kind of malaise/depression.  It has totally killed my libido.  I crave to be left alone.  I do not want to be near her negativity.  I have no desire for sex...at all.  This is not normal.  Bringing this up to her (no...I never divulge the cause. I just say it from the amorphous "stress"), does no good.  She acts as if it is solely my problem, and I should just deal with it.  I am treated as a hypochondriac. Basically, same ol' same ol'.  People do not change unless they choose to make an honest go of it.  Sybil seems disinclined to do so.  For my part, I am working on it.  I can only maintain my side of the road.  I pray everyday that I will, somehow, have this feeling lifted from my shoulders.

I Wish I Had a Nickel for Every Time I Heard These Words: "I Cannot do This Anymore"

This article got me really "noodling" about one of Sybil's manipulation tactics.  She love to try to stay one step ahead of people and get them to do her bidding.

"I cannot do this anymore," sobbed Sybil. 

I hear this about every 6 weeks to two months, generally.  Sybil is going to quit, move out, anything to get away from me.  I am a terrible person.  I do not engage with her at level she demands.  We never just sit around and talk.  She refuses to have a marriage just like my parents: just co-habitating.  No real connection.  So Sybil is at the end of her rope, again, and she can no longer live like this.

Except she does.

Sybil has not left, yet.  She threatens...often.  I have lost count on how many times she has threatened.  It is always the same thing: she will threaten, I will think of our son, and I will cave in by saying the magic words.  While I realize I am dealing with an emotionally immature person that, while intelligent, seems to be able to delude herself with ease.

My parents marriage was a success.  They had their ups and downs, and I remember some terrible arguments.  However, they stayed married for 54 years.  They would still be married if my father had not passed away.  I would say that is pretty successful.  They produced two children that are contributing members of society.  They were in love.  I do not mean the Disney perversion of love.  I mean the deep connection love.  If my marriage is as successful as my parents, then I will be blessed.

Her parents marriage is a success, I guess.  They have been married longer than my parents were.  However, Sybil's mother is controlling and abusive in a similar manner as Sybil.  Maybe more so.  There is one instance where the FIL threw some baby bottles away without the MIL's permission.  The MIL, literally, physically assaulted the FIL.  Phone calls were made, and the children had to drive in to help quell the situation.  While Sybil likes to focus on my parents' marriage; her parents' marriage may be far more dysfunctional than my parents'.  They cannot stand each other but are locked into a death struggle because they are responsible for a disabled child.

I have few hobbies; I spend all of my time either working or being with Sybil.  That is still not enough.  Narcissists will, over time, isolate their victims to the point that they no longer have any friends or anything outside of the marriage.  I have two hobbies: working out and DnD.  Working out means having to get up very early to do it, so she does not feel neglected.  With DnD I spend less than ten hours a month playing at someone's house.  There is no drinking, profanity, any other nonsense and is played on a Saturday night, but I am not where Sybil can see me.  Therefore, it is bad.  When I get home, Sybil starts making comments about how long I'm gone.  She knows better than to come out and say it, but she wants to manipulate me into not going anymore.

Sadly, I have come to realize this all a means towards manipulation.  Sybil wants to be in control.  She hates surprises.  She wants to be in control of those closest to her because she is so insecure.  Her main tactic is manipulation either with words or deeds.  She knows I have strong obligation and duty traits and uses these traits against me.  While I can complain about it all day long, ultimately I am the one feeding the beast.  Every time I allow her to manipulate me into doing her bidding, I reinforce her bad behavior.  The only way to stand firm and just say "no."

Complete Lack of Meaning

 I am very frustrated...at my self.  After all of this time, I still fall in traps set by Sybil and allow myself to manipulated.  This past weekend brought into stark contrast how little depth she has.

I was planning on going to play DnD (topic of another post). Because of recently having an employee test positive with COVID, Sybil has really become more stringent.  She started making little noises about me going to someone else's house to play.  Sadly, I gave her ample opportunity to use her emotional blackmail to manipulate me.  The day prior to the argument, the massage chair she ordered had finally arrived and was assembled (another post).  She claimed the right of using it first.  Now, she was not making it much of a priority, really.  I had an opportunity to use the chair, so I did.  She commented on how rude I was to use the chair first when she "called it".  I explained that I saw an opportunity and took it, but agreed that it was thoughtless of me and could understand her irritation.

The day of DnD comes.  Sybil asks if I am still going to which I tell her that I am.  Instead of using a direct tactic (something she rarely does), she starts in with how could I go?  I should realize that I need to stay and make up for what happened the day prior.  I did not work to show her how contrite I am.  I am totally selfish because all I could think about was going to someone's house and not be with her.  Her "depth" of emotion eventually gave way to tears and even threats of divorce.  All because of me not re-apologizing and working to make her feel better for using the chair first.  All because I did not give her every ounce of energy I have.  I was just not a good person because I wanted to go do something that she is not involved in.  Let me repeat: Threats. Of. Divorce.  I did what any weak willed man would do...I caved.  I did not go.  I spent the rest of the day with her and Son #3.

While my lack of backbone is galling enough, the next day I did what Sybil demanded that I do: I checked in with her.  First thing.  I asked how she was doing.  She starts talking about how the massage chair (she did finally use it) really helped her.  She felt pretty good.  I asked how she is emotionally after the day prior's conversation.  Judging by her reaction, she had totally forgotten it. I let myself be manipulated.  I let myself be sucked into her "crocodile tears".  In doing so, I reinforced (again) that she can be dominant and get her way.  Her reaction brought into focus how superficial it all is; how meaningless it is.  I would think that threatening your spouse with divorce would mean that you are really serious about things.  In my mind divorce is kind of like murder.  Apparently, not so for Sybil.  The whole rest of the day she was happiest I have seen her in a long time.

For me, I am very angry and disappointed in myself.  This toxic relationship has become something that is like a deadweight.  While I knew that Sybil was superficial, this episode really revealed how superficial she is.  To go from threatening divorce the one day and, literally, less than 24 hours later not even really thinking about it, is mind boggling.  Yet, I cannot fault her.  I am the one that has reinforced this behavior over the years.  I am the one that let's her trample over my boundaries.  I am the one that refuses to call her bluff.  I have to be the one that is willing to say, "You know, that's a good idea.  I think we should divorce."

Interesting Take on Things

 As we all know by now, life with a narcissist can be a challenge.  Every. Single. Conversation. Is about them.  If the conversation isn't about them, be patient because it soon will be.  They will manipulate you to, somehow, get a reaction from you.  This will "recharge" their battery, as they are emotional vampires.

Over the years I have struggled with a very diminished libido.  A combination of age and stress with living with Sybil, have seemingly robbed me of desire.  Adding a lack of reciprocation on Sybil's part only seems to cement this downward spiral.  For example, Sybil loves attention that a back rub with lotion gives her.  In her mind the excitement and joy of my touching her is all that is needed to start my motor.  In reality, she does nothing to me: she does not touch me and while she is being administered to, she is looking at Fakebook.  Eventually, this leaves me empty and feeling like a schmuck.  These feelings add to my stress with Sybil.  Before anyone asks...I have told Sybil, but she chooses to continue.

I write this to set up last night's conversation.  I am so powerful that I can alter Sybil's biology.  See, we have not had sex in about 2 months.  This lack sex caused her monthly period to come early.  While she did not overtly say so, it is my fault.  I explained that possibly entering menopause may cause her periods to become irregular.  Instead of accepting even a modicum of responsibility, she claimed that entering menopause is from lack of sex (she's 49 years old).  Ridiculous does not begin to describe it.

I have the power to alter someone's physiology.  I am all powerful.  Sadly, the root cause will never be fixed: combination of age and stress kill any desire.  Sybil never wants to own any responsibility for her role in this situation.  She will never see that constant conflict, complaining, negativity, lack of respect, and just general lack of seeming to care only compounds the situation.  Same stuff different day.

Ups and Downs

 

Normal ups and downs of life.  Curves are shallow. Less of them.

Ups and downs with a narcissist.  Curves are very sharp and there are more of them.

Life's ups and downs are normal.  We have periods of laughter and periods of anguish.  No one can escape this fact.  I think this a good thing because the bad stuff makes us appreciate the good stuff.  All we can do is try to minimize what we can and roll with the things that we cannot.

Life with a narcissist is never this.  The normal stress of life is compounded by periods of love bombing/idealization with periods of being discarded.  The dopamine from the love bombing phases is intense and really gets us to bond with these people.  That neurotransmitter brings on a feeling of well being.  This stuff really muddle our thinking and make us forget the pain the lows of the relationship.  There is no way anyone would stay with a narcissist for any length of time if it were not for the highs of the dopamine period.

One must be ever diligent about the extreme highs and extreme lows of the life with the narcissist and be prepared for them.  It is not about one; it is always about the narcissist's perception of one.  Very different thing.

One More Thing Placed on My Shoulders

 

Maybe someday I'll stop getting sucked into Sybil's drama.  Yesterday was not that day.

Sybil mentioned that she needed to talk to me about something.  I waited until we had a quiet moment and reminded her.  I know...I know...big mistake.  The thing is...I knew better.  I knew that we cannot have a civil discussion on things that are kind of personal.  This was no exception.

Here are the details of the latest episode:

We were supposed to go to a friend's house to pick grapes as he is an amateur wine maker.  We were anticipating a day of fun and frivolity.  The weather was going to be perfect.  The day before he text to cancel, since the weather was so good they decided to go camping, instead.

We called the kids that may be going to let them know.  Not a big deal.  I'm not surprised he flaked.  Generally, he does whatever he wants, but one is welcome to come along.  Sybil announced that she would like to talk to me later about something.  Naturally, I knew this was not going to be to tell how much she loved me and appreciated being married to me.

So...last night I reminded her about her request to talk later.  Turns out that Sybil was letting me know that if I wanted to these fun things (camping, hiking, canoeing, etc) then I needed to work to make her "feel safe".   This left me quite confused.  We have had this discussion before.  I questioned Sybil to ascertain why she was bringing this up, as I had not even mentioned anything about camping or doing anything "risky" (I'm not sure how risky canoeing in calm water is but that's another thing).  She kind of dodged the question and, basically, repeated herself to let me know that I have to work to assuage her fears about doing anything "adventurous".  I expressed confusion, because we have had this discussion before and I thought it was resolved.  Sybil just kept repeating herself that I must make her feel safe.  Finally and this is what touched my last nerve she said that when I received word of our friend flaking and the reason (camping); I seemed happy. I was smiling or whatever.  I explained, that I may have been but not because I wanted to go camping (generally speaking I do but that never crossed my mind) but because he flaked...as expected.  I thought it was funny that he invited us over and then canceled because something better came along.  I was irritated at Sybil because without confirming (something she HATES) she assumed (something she HATES) and prejudged me.  I hate hypocrisy with a passion.

Basically, this is a form of control.  Sybil exerts her neurosis and uses that as a cudgel to control my actions.  I will never be able to allay her fears enough to do anything.  So like the mighty Atlas, I have more and more placed on my shoulders.  If I want to involve the family in these outings, I must take on her fears and somehow slay them.  Anything outside of her comfort zone causes a lot stress and anxiety for her.  Sybil has to have things planned not only to a "T" but also to her liking.  The concept that someone can plan something differently than others is an anathema to her.  I think that is an impossible task. What if I, simply, shrug?