I was living to please others because I thought that was love.
I was putting up with hurtful comments because they were from people who loved me.
I was giving too much—more than I had.
I was saying "yes," because I had a hard time saying "no."
I was putting others' needs and wants above my own, sacrificing to make things work.
To make them love me.
And it didn't work. Not in the way I was told it would.
And not in the way I wanted.
These days, I have the best partner I could have ever imagined (better, even!), and I not only have solid boundaries myself, but I encourage them in the people I engage with in my life (my partners, my friends, and my colleagues). After all, I believe that boundaries are THE MOST IMPORTANT relationship skill.
Now's my chance to share with you what I've learned through these years.