It& #39;s that time of year again... so I find it important to emphasize that everyone doesn& #39;t have family dynamics that are portrayed in Lifetime movies.

The holidays can be really hard. There& #39;s an expectation that people should want to spend time with their biological family. /1

But that& #39;s not the case for everyone. Some don& #39;t feel emotionally safe around toxic, boundary crossing, disrespectful family members. Others don& #39;t want to pretend to be happy while their sexual abuser sits at the other end of the dinner table. Guess what? That& #39;s their right! /2

So while some of us are excitedly traveling to visit biological family, others are making decisions to spend time with their CHOSEN FAMILY... the people they& #39;ve met who make them feel safe + seen. Or they& #39;re limiting how much time they spend in certain environments. /3

Knowing someone isn& #39;t visiting family this season doesn& #39;t mean we have a right to question them. Statements like: "Well that& #39;s just how family is. You have to let it go" or "Why wouldnt you spend time with your family? It cant be THAT bad" are extremely unhelpful + hurtful. /4

It can come across as accusatory + places the responsibility of fixing the situation on someone who was harmed... that& #39;s not fair.

We are not owed a reason to "validate" someone& #39;s choice. /5

Our questions may not come from a malicious place... but it& #39;s important to remember that the holidays can be a sensitive time for people... let& #39;s be mindful in the way we address this time. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💖" title="Sparkling heart" aria-label="Emoji: Sparkling heart"> /6 + FIN