Hi Azra! I’m 27, and I’m new to disappointing my parents, I chose a partner they don’t approve of, moved across country, and reclaimed my independence again. It’s heartbreaking to mourn losing their presence as I knew for the past 27 years. Does it get eas

Ha! I’ve been in the industry of disappointing my parents for years. I would say that it took a lot of self love and self worth work to not hate myself for it. The blame is always there and the guilt just stings. Recently I’ve been trying to understand the toxicity in some parts of South Asian culture, the undercurrents of suffering and particularly the expectation that women suffer. I’ve decided that I don’t want to suffer and that I was brave in leaving and following what I needed. I’ve come to the realisation that my parents won’t ever understand or necessarily accept me and that’s okay. I know that I’m loved by them and almost more importantly, loved by myself. So…easier? I suppose but that longing for them lives in me and occasionally claws and I’ll live with that probably forever.