At the end of the event, as usual, a narcissistic sibling wanted to weigh in. (Many of you with CFS know this kind of dismissal.) She told me I seemed to be good with no fatigue. I replied that I would likely crash later. She told me how she would crash too. She gave me examples...
Then said, "It's called AGING." Ah, I expected as much. Dismissing me as per her modus operandi. Enough to call into question if I really have CFS. But it was not the place to discuss more or educate her. It was time to say goodbye and let her have the last word...
By walking away, I gave her what she wanted most — space to talk about herself — without giving her what she often seeks — a chance to dismiss, argue, or undermine you.
*not 'you', "me". I gave her no further chance to undermine me.
Learning to walk away from that kind of potential conflict has been difficult for me, even though I know it’s the healthiest choice in the long & short term. Huge props for being gracefully able to do it.
#ME/CFS is a very nuanced illness. Not the same for all. Much goes into managing our fatigue so we can have good days or at least a few good hours!