Reframe the Narrative

Life can throw us curveballs and knock us off track from the home runs we envisioned. This successful survivor can reframe the narrative and realize her “score” is a winning one, says advice columnist Amy Dickinson in “Ask Amy.”

Dear Amy:

I had a fabulous life – a big successful career, handsome husband, and gorgeous kids. I was well-known and acclaimed in my field. I felt I had it all and that I was living the feminist dream.

My husband did not work. He had a drinking problem. His behavior became increasingly violent. When he harmed the children, I left him.

My life changed radically. As a single working mother of two small boys, I could no longer be a superstar at the office. My special-needs child required frequent hospitalization, which meant hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt. Then my father had a lingering death from pancreatic cancer.

I couldn’t afford not to work, so I dialed in a very sketchy job performance and my professional reputation suffered.

Meanwhile, my ex-husband was committing acts of violence, which meant round after round of restraining orders. It was chaos.

Fast-forward 10 years. The boys and I have a loving relationship. Both children excel in college. After many years and diligent effort, I’ve resolved the financial problems. The boys even have a healthy relationship with their father.

The problem is that I am firmly stuck in the past. I miss the time when I used to have everything, including a husband whom I loved.

The other women in my circle from that time are doing great things – running international organizations, working in the White House, etc. I’m just kind of a has-been.

I know I made the right choices. But I can’t stop thinking of what I had and what might have been, if we had kept it together as a family.

I am sad and bitter, and it is making it hard to enjoy my life and plan my next steps. I’m definitely depressed, and think I may have PTSD. I don’t know where to get the help I need to be happy.

What do you recommend?

– Broken & Exhausted

Dear Broken:

You seem much less a “has-been” than a hardworking, impressive, and successful survivor. Life has handed you a series of huge challenges, and you have fought your way through – and conquered – all of them.

One hazard of defining your success according to “the feminist dream” (or any idealized version of how to live) is that these stereotypes don’t allow for the realities of life, including tragic events that necessitate personal sacrifice.

You certainly embody a parent’s highest calling, which is to successfully protect and support your children. And you did it alone. If that isn’t a feminist dream, then the movement needs to make more room for heroines like you.

Like a warrior just off the battlefield, you could be suffering from PTSD. The best way to find out is to be evaluated by a qualified mental health practitioner.

My hope for you would be for you to reframe the narrative of your experiences to recognize what a bold and successful survivor you are. Talk therapy, medication, and nurturing supportive friendships with other women warriors would help.

Want to get even more life tips from Amy? Read more of her advice columns here!

In the tradition of the great personal advice columnists, Chicago Tribune’s Amy Dickinson is a plainspoken straight shooter who relates to readers of all ages. She answers personal questions by addressing issues from both her head and her heart – ranging from accepting a new friend to dark family secrets and DNA surprises. A solid reporter, Dickinson researches her topics to provide readers with informed opinions and answers. You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.

©2023 by Amy Dickinson