Expensive Haya,
I am feeling emotionally overwhelmed, extraordinarily confused and wish some honest steering on the problem I am coping with. My mother and father, particularly my mom, need me to marry to my cousin.
For context, I used to be earlier in a relationship with somebody who betrayed me and after that episode, I promised my mother and father that I am going to solely deal with my research. However a while after that I used to be approached by another person who acquired severe about our future collectively and has even knowledgeable his family about us. Nonetheless, there are cultural variations between us, which might not be acceptable to my household. One other challenge is that I am going to quickly graduate and he nonetheless has three semesters to go.
I have not but spoken with my mother and father about him, however there is no means I might marry my cousin. With my commencement approaching and our life phases being so totally different, how do I make my case with my mother and father and persuade them to contemplate the particular person I am in love with? Please give me some recommendation.

Expensive anon,
Initially, breathe. You might be carrying lots directly — conflicting loyalties, worry formed by a previous betrayal, strain of choices that really feel time sure, your mother and father needs, your present actuality resulting in confusion and overwhelm.
I sense one readability you strongly maintain— you do not wish to marry your cousin. That readability issues, even when the whole lot feels messy, realizing what’s non-negotiable is grounding.
Whereas I cant inform you what to do, we will discover issues that you would be able to contemplate.
Separate urgency from strain
Your mother and father pressuring you to marry the cousin is about their timelines and sense of safety. Selections comprised of strain typically result in resentment later. You might be allowed to say, “I’m not prepared proper now or don’t wish to determine proper now”.
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Put together earlier than you persuade
Earlier than you introduce the particular person you like, it could be helpful to ascertain that marrying your cousin shouldn’t be an possibility. Do that with out bringing the opposite particular person in. This can assist your mother and father hear your autonomy, fairly than reacting defensively to comparisons or cultural fears.
Construct your personal inside readability
Are the cultural variations and being youthful okay with you? This can enable you separate your beliefs out of your mother and father beliefs.
Handle your mother and father’ fears
Whenever you do communicate concerning the particular person you like, body it in a means that your mother and father can emotionally digest it. Acknowledge their issues after your previous betrayal, share what’s totally different this time, be sincere concerning the life stage hole, but additionally clarify how you might be serious about it realistically and never impulsively.
Timing issues
Have this dialog when feelings are regulated, not throughout battle, strain, or comparability with different proposals. One calm dialog is healthier than many emotional ones.
Honour your reality
You aren’t selecting between your mother and father and your associate, you might be selecting to honour your personal inside voice. You’ll be able to respect your mother and father and select to not abandon your self.
Begin right here and see the place this goes. Be mild and regular, there is no such thing as a rush irrespective of how pressing others could make it appear.
Finest needs,
— Haya

Haya Malik is a psychotherapist, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, company well-being strategist and coach with experience in creating organisational cultures targeted on well-being and elevating consciousness round psychological well being.
Ship her your questions by filling this form or e mail to [email protected]
Observe: The recommendation and opinions above are these of the writer and particular to the question. We strongly advocate our readers seek the advice of related consultants or professionals for personalised recommendation and options. The writer and Geo.television don’t assume any accountability for the implications of actions taken primarily based on the knowledge offered herein. All printed items are topic to modifying to reinforce grammar and readability.


