Episode 14 -Estate? I Thought You Said Escape…

It’s been three months since my brother officially claimed his ‘options’ (two family farms), leaving me with a roof over my head ( which I am happy about), 12 years of unpaid elder care and a masterclass in gaslighting. I’ve had some time to reflect – mostly because I can’t afford to do anything else.

I was told to be grateful for roof over my head. Spoiler: it’s less ‘cozy cottage’ and more ‘future DIY nightmare’. The heating is a distant memory and I’m pretty sure the mice are unionizing and the turf wars started. My therapist says I should focus on the positives – like how I have a front-row seat to every storm. The wine says, ‘Pour another glass.’ I’m listening to the wine.

Therapy has been my new best friend, and so has a certain bottle of Cabernet. Together, we’ve uncovered some hard truths, a few laughs and a lot of reasons to keep sipping. I was the family’s unofficial nurse, carer, chef, errand girl and emotional punching bag. I didn’t mind (much) because ‘family comes first’, right? Wrong. Family comes with a deed, apparently. After being overlooked, underpaid, and spiritually bulldozed by generational entitlement, I did what any sane person would: unplug the group chat, pack my emotional baggage, and book a one-way trip to peace.

Now starring in:

• Late-night wine with zero emotional ambushes.
• A skincare routine powered by righteous detachment.
• Boundaries so firm, you’d think I was zoning real estate.
• And laughter that doesn’t come with a post-text from a flying monkey.

Special appearance by:

Bully Yates mysterious silence and passive-aggressive behavior and Aunt Eileen’s mild confusion as to why I am being distant’ and Sister’s Oscar-worthy victim monologues.

My therapist says this is classic gaslighting. The wine says, ‘They’re lucky you’re not a pyromaniac’. I’m starting to think the wine has a point.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Perspective is great but it doesn’t pay the bills.
• Family isn’t about fairness – it’s about who can speed-read a will the fastest.
• Red wine pairs beautifully with existential dread.
  I may not have anything but a roof over my head but I have stories. And a therapist. And a bottle that’s almost empty. That’s something, right?

Because sometimes, the only thing you inherit is clarity – and maybe an air fryer if you’re lucky.