The invisible struggles

Overcoming Obstacles

The setting sun was tinting the sky with an orange hue when Elena entered the small apartment she shared with her mother, Maria. The atmosphere had been heavy with tension for several days, ever since Elena had narrowly avoided a direct confrontation with her greatest fear: her body dysmorphia.

Maria was sitting at the kitchen table, a steaming cup of tea in front of her, staring out the window. Her expression was a mixture of concern and reserve, as if she were searching for the right words for a long-overdue conversation. Elena, feeling both relieved and anxious to see her mother in this state, took a deep breath and sat down opposite her. Silence reigned between them for several minutes, only interrupted by the faint sound of the wind outside. Finally, Elena decided to break the silence.

"Mom, there's something I need to tell you," Elena began, her voice trembling as she mustered the courage to express her deep feelings.

Maria looked up at her daughter, her gaze reflecting concern. "Yes, my dear? What's on your mind?"

Elena took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. "Mom, I... I know you always want the best for me. But... these comments about how I look, how I should dress, or how I should style my hair..."

Maria appeared surprised and then defensively pulled back. "Elena, my darling, I'm just trying to guide you. I want you to be seen well, to be accepted. You know how cruel people can be..."

Elena's eyes filled with sadness and frustration. "But mom, that's the problem. You're trying to make me conform to others' standards, to push me to follow trends and beauty norms. All I want is for you to accept me as I am."

Maria shook her head, her emotions mingling with her daughter's. "Elena, you don't understand. Women are always judged on their appearance. I just want you to be prepared for the world out there."

Elena's hands gripped the edge of the table as her voice grew more determined. "But mom, instead of teaching me how to please others, why don't you teach me how to handle people's gazes? Why don't you support me in my struggle to accept myself?"

Maria looked down, gradually realizing the depth of her daughter's words. "Elena, I... I just want to protect you. I want you to have an easier life, without constant judgment."

Elena shook her head with resigned sadness. "But mom, you can't protect me from this. No one can. What I want is for you to be there for me when I need support, not to tell me how I should be to please others."

The two women stared at each other in silence, acknowledging a painful truth. Maria finally sighed, her shoulders relaxing a little. "I'm sorry, Elena. I didn't mean to make you feel this way."

Elena felt a mix of relief and sadness. She knew her mother meant well, but they had much to learn from each other. "I know, mom. I know you love me. But please, try to understand that I need to find my own way to be at peace with myself."

Maria nodded slowly, her eyes filled with emotion. "All right, my dear. I'll try, but I can't promise you anything."

The two women embraced, allowing their tears to flow in silence, but this time with a sense of understanding and renewed love.

Lucas had postponed this conversation so many times that he had lost count. But that evening, with the tension between him and his mother almost palpable, he knew it was time to confront the demons that had haunted their family for so long.

They were sitting in the living room, the TV turned off, but neither seemed able to break the heavy silence. Finally, Lucas took a deep breath and spoke in a trembling but resolute voice.

"Mom, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his hands clasped in his lap, his gaze fixed on the floor.

His mother turned to him, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension. "Yes, Lucas? What's going on?"