Assalamu Alaikum - I carry a lot of bitterness inside
Assalamu Alaikum, I want to start by saying Alhamdulillah for so many blessings in my life. I married three years ago and soon after we were blessed with our first child. By the mercy of Allah, we ended up living only an hour from my parents, which was a relief compared to moving far away, though it did mean living with my in‑laws and adjusting to compromises. Before marriage I was fairly independent. Even with a strict household I could go out with friends, work, and visit cousins, aunts and uncles - I was often at family homes and my parents were okay with me being out late because I was in trusted company. After getting married things changed a lot. I couldn’t see my extended family as much unless my husband or someone from my family went with me. Staying over wasn’t really an option, and I couldn’t just do what I wanted whenever I wanted. I know many of his boundaries come from how his family raised his sisters, and I get that, but at first we had a lot of fights about it. We’ve improved and found compromises that work for both of us, and genuinely I’m happy with what we’ve agreed on. But somehow bitterness has dug in, and now I catch myself judging things I used to not care about. For example, because I couldn’t visit my family often, I hoped they would visit me more. But because my in‑laws and my family don’t really get along, they stay away. I try not to blame them, but it hurts - were they only close because I made the effort? Another thing that bothers me is my sister‑in‑law. She’s a year older than me and isn’t married, yet she and her parents seem to have treated her like a teenager. She acts in a way that surprises me. I grew up with a father who encouraged independence, so seeing her choose to be dependent and act childlike frustrates me. She’s educated and capable, and I wish she’d enjoy her life more, but instead she leans into being infantilized. It upsets me especially when she tries to push some of her rules on me; I make it clear I won’t accept that. I know this sounds like a rant, but I see that I’ve developed resentment toward her. There are other small things that add up, and overall I’m just tired of carrying this bitterness. I don’t approve of gossip, but I’ve found myself slipping into it out of anger, and I want to stop. I want to control these feelings and come back to being my happier self - to feel full of good feelings rather than like my heart is dark. If anyone has gone through something similar, I’d really appreciate advice. How did you let go of the bitterness and find peace again? JazakAllah khair.