Wow- everyone has some awesome replies. I think I did a combination of VetTechJess and Ns123.
I was living with my mother due to my circumstances and she was constantly putting me down and accusing me of not wanting to face "reality" I am 44 years old by the way. I set boundaries and she tested them time and time again! Told her in a nice way that her negative attitude about life was bringing me down etc. She complained that no one wants to listen to her and she should have the right to be "honest" about what is going on. I was depressed alot. I realize now that I chose to be depressed but it's difficult when you hear negative comments 24/7. Finally I told her she can complain about a situation once. Then I didn't want to keep hearing her negative view on it and if she didn't change I would be spending less time with her because I couldn't take her negativity. I kept my word. I withdrew from her, just spend less time talking to her and being around her even though we were in same the house. I also adopted an attitude of acceptance and feeling patience toward her. (She grew up in Germany during WWII so I think that's caused alot of her "fear" outlook of the world) After a few months, I noticed a change in her. Now she is tolerable.
However, lately since I have been living most of the time out of town for school and work, I notice that I do better when I have less contact with her, so once I graduate from nursing school I will be moving 1,000 miles away also!! I don't even know anyone where I am moving to, which is scary but exciting!
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