@junkartist Seeing you mentioned being a professional writer, do you mind telling me the general field you write for? I think you might find writing down negative feelings, or letters to yourself/daughter, will be a challenge, at first. But persevering, you'll look back and realize how you feel better, even in slow increments. That is where you will see the value. For me, writing has long been a part of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how 26 letters and accompanying punctuation, can be turned and twisted. Being able to and willing to take a deep look at a personal strife can be exhausting, so please be gentle on yourself. We are always here on standby to lend support!
Ginger

@junkartist, I am not a professional writer but I started journaling years ago just as a way of expressing thoughts and emotions I didn't want to share with others. I use plain college ruled spiral notebooks because the "pretty" journals were "too nice" to use...weird woman, yes? vbg

Strife and discord within a family can produce enormous stress and anxiety. Private journaling gives me an opportunity to express my emotions in a way I could never do with someone else. The inexpensive spirals make it easy to tear out and destroy negative pages as desired later.

You also mentioned bike riding. Walking and working in my gardens are other favorite stress reducers for me.

Years ago, my first grandson's dad decided he preferred being a playboy to being a husband and dad. We were desperately afraid that the wealthy paternal grandparents, who lived out of the country, would kidnap our baby. It was a truly horrifically scary time. During that period, I thought my daughter far too lenient in giving the dad and grandparents opportunities to visit. I even paid private investigators to track them on one 3 day visit.

I sought a counselor for help and learned, perhaps, somewhat like you, that I needed to strengthen my boundaries and that as a responsible adult, my daughter be allowed to make her decisions without my input. What is all that accumulated wisdom for if not to share with our most loved ones, right? vbg

My daughter eventually received full custody but it was a legal battle royale. Having a safe way to express my angers, fears and threats of what I'd like to do to that family "pond scum" clan of internationally officed attorneys was probably a true sanity saver for me.

I am so thankful for the new cyber friends made through these wonderful Connect forums. This is another valuable outlet in which we can share concern and support safely and in confidence. What is your professional field of writing expertise?

My daughter worked on the creative side of advertising before her marriage. What is your professional field of writing expertise? Do you work from home? If so, is it hard to stop at the end of the day?