Titanium

I texted my co-parent to make a simple request. I was being reasonable and respectful of him and his mandated call time. Instead, he turned it into a showdown with questions and accusations and passive aggressive condescension and victimization.

Weaponizing neutral information. Turning it into a way to blame me.

A performance like that is quite applause-worthy actually.

But seriously? This request was for YOUR benefit, that could have simply been answered with a yes, no, or suggested time to reschedule.

It must be hard to be that miserable all the time.

I stopped replying to him and feeding his intentional argument. Instead, I made the analogy in my head of something innocent and respectful turning into an intentional cowboy shootout. I began picturing that image of him shooting at me and I dodging the bullets.

And then I started singing “Titanium” by David Guetta and Sia…go listen to it. Full on karaoke on repeat in my kitchen belting out that I’m bulletproof. It was empowering. And it’s easier to see the comedy in his efforts to dysregulate me when I know he’s only armed with a Nerf gun.

And a Nerf fight will get boring if he’s the only one playing.

Stay strong. You don't need to justify or explain or take any of the bait. You're bulletproof, mama.

You shout it out

But I can’t hear a word you say

I’m talking loud, not saying much

I’m criticized , but all your bullets ricochet

Shoot me down, but I get up

I’m bulletproof, nothing to lose

Fire away! Fire away!

Ricochet, you take your aim

Fire away, fire away

You shoot me down, but I won’t fall

I am Titanium!