What we're watching
Each month we try to share a book, movie, podcast or other type of media that we, as counsellors, enjoy and think that you might too. Some times these are serious, or therapy related, and other times they are just for fun and enjoyment.
This month, Ola Abugharbiyeh (MA, MACP, RCC) shares a review of the Netflix show “My Happy Family”. If you have met Ola, you probably know that she has a great laugh, and makes it easy for people to be around her. She also has a very caring persona about her, and a way of making you feel heard. She really enjoyed this movie and wanted to share with you why she thinks you should watch it too.
The reason I am recommending “My Happy Family” is not only the agility of depicting a whole spectrum of emotions but most importantly is the experience of setting boundaries and the journey towards living the meaningful life you choose for yourself.
“My Happy Family” is a Georgian movie that depicts the life of an intergenerational family sharing the same space and life challenges. Manana, a 52-year-old wife-daughter-mother eventually confronts her situation: overbearing parent, ineffectual husband, “dependent” adult children and patronizing family members. Her decision to leave and live on her own throws the family into turmoil.
I do not want to spoil it for you. However, I wanted to highlight the major concept of the movie where Manana learns to set boundaries and pursue independence. It is her journey towards reclaiming authentic living despite societal norms and gender roles. In the process, Manana learns to stand up for herself and enjoy the simple things in life. “My Happy Family” is a masterful representation of attending to your unmet needs and unconscious yearnings. Manana’s recognition of the importance of boundaries and how essential they are for healthy relationships motivates her to end her confusion and ambiguous discomfort. She transitions to a state of certainty of what she can tolerate and accept. She tunes into her emotions and figures out her proactive role. She gives herself permission to respect herself and others and set boundaries and preserve them. Manana prioritizes self-care to be a better version of herself realizing that interdependence is the keyword.
Manana’s experience is not uncommon! If you ever find yourself struggling with boundaries, talk to someone and seek professional help. Learn how to stop the passive-aggressive swing. Choose to learn assertiveness. Take baby steps to communicate your boundaries effectively and courageously and remember that this is a skill. Reach out if you feel you need support in mastering it.