AITAH for telling my mother her opinions are unwanted?
For context, I (21F) am the adopted daughter of my mother (64F) and I specify this because our relationship has always been strained. Her expectations have always been higher for me (fine with her biological kids dropping out of college, but tells me I should try harder when getting a B+) and she is constantly over critical of everything I do.
A big topic of conflict for us is my clothing/self expression. She doesn't like the way I dress and makes it known 24/7 regardless of whether or not I ask. She is constantly giving me unsolicited opinions, and it is always negative. It is so emotionally draining not being able to walk out of my room without her literally picking apart my appearance and telling me everything she dislikes.
For example, I had bought some press ons that were sparkly and had gems on them. I put them on today forgetting I had a shift tomorrow (barista) and had to take them off anyway and told her because I found it funny.
She proceeded to continuously berate me saying "They're so ugly. I hate them anyway. I don't like them at all." and my response was "I didn't bring them up to ask you if you liked them, I was telling you a funny mistake I made. I don't need you to like them because I love them" and that was my last mistake because she blew up.
"OH so I can't have an opinion in my own house? Fine I just won't tell you my opinion about anything again. I don't care anymore."
We have arguments like this nearly every day. Always before I'm going somewhere (before work/friends) or after a long day. It is driving me INSANE and it makes me so irritable around her. When I advocate for myself and try to explain to her that my existence isn't an opportunity for negative comments, she acts like I'm taking away her autonomy completely. Am I being too sensitive and overreacting?
Posted Jan 7, 2026, 3:11 PM UTC