Willow.
This stuff is hard; it's harder when you're 19, when you've gotta deal with all the social pressures that begin to build in this time of your life.
You are dealing with it.. be proud of yourself for that. Many of us ran from it when we were your age, only to realize later in life that we wished we'd dealt with it earlier!
I am way jealous that you've got at least some supporters. I'm a parent, and I've always found it harder to deal with my own kids, rather than to deal with other peoples' kids .. that might help explain your mom's position. It's gonna be hard for her, and if she tries to turn an ignorant eye to it, it's only gonna get harder for both of you.
Without being or seeming insistent, show her the best sides of you. Try not to seem pushy .. think about what that might mean; it's hard to put yourself outside your own mind, to see in another's perspective, but that's something you've got to do in order to get along with your mom better. Yes, she doesn't seem to try to shift perspectives .. that's where you've got some convincing to do. Spend some time trying to develop more empathy for her. I, too, am an empath, but I find it especially hard to have much empathy for those I live with ... since I get to see all the "mistakes" (those that I perceive to be mistakes) ... you probably have trouble having empathy for those you live with, too.
It's worth it in the long run. Yeah, you maybe don't wanna hear that at 19 .. gonna say it anyways.
It's worth it. Things get better.
