I didn’t know I was codependent. I just knew I didn’t know what I wanted and focused on what everyone else wanted. I desperately needed those in my life to be happy. I wanted them to approve of me and accept me. I feared conflict and lost sleep when I believed someone was upset with me.
Looking back, I see a young woman who just wanted to be loved. She needed connection and believed the only way to get it was by silencing her needs, conforming to what others expected, and shrinking herself so small that there would be no chance in hell she could lose a relationship ((because it’s hard to lose someone who is invisible and unnoticed anyway.)) I didn’t know that by doing this, I was losing my passion, my health, my light.
I believe there is this misunderstanding that one must learn to love themselves first before they heal. I don’t believe that is true. The love and self worth and respect grows WITHIN the healing. It’s a daily practice, one step at a time.
Where are you at today in this process? Do any of these graphics stand out to you?
