"Somehow you need to find the strength to only express your normal feelings here and act honky dory with him."
'Somehow' is a big keyword here. I am really struggling to look upbeat and happy in front of him. I think that I've made improvements, but it's still hard for me.
Great quote, Purg! You said "...sometimes feel myself slipping back into old habits- but now have the tools to keep me from going there." What are your tools, if you don't mind sharing?