dear lifelongloner,

i am sorry your mom treated you that way. there is nothing wrong with being gay or introverted but i know it is hard to forget all that happened to you.

i read a book called 'healing your emotional self' by beverly engel and found it very insightful and helpful. she was also abused by her mom. i was emotionally neglected by my mom but i have started to try to heal myself. we all know what we need. since i didn't get it from mom, i am giving it to myself. i look in the mirror and talk to myself. i ask me how my day is going etc you could tell yourself you are a kind person etc. this self-parenting has helped me fill the void little by little. i hope you will try it.

wishing you all the best.