I don’t relate with other adoptees

Please leave your judgements at the door and know that I’ve tried to find community with other adoptees for a good portion of my life. No expectations, an open mind, and an open heart.

It started as a child, when I was brought to a camp for adopted kids from South Korea. I enjoyed the food. The songs. The cultural activities, but I never walked away from those experiences with friends

As I grew older I joined some online communities, but found the conversations deeply frustrating. I can’t explain it. I understood where the feelings came from. But I couldn’t pinpoint why I was so frustrated with others.

At one point, I thought there must be something wrong with me. Then I wondered if there was something inherently wrong with the existing communities I was joining.

People would often see my support as interest in their plight. They’d reach out. I’d think it was for connection, but then they’d trauma dump on me. Which further created a wedge. Now I’m wary of other adoptees.

Is there something wrong with me?