Another re-read-from one of my favourite people, Iyanla Vanzant, in “Acts of Faith”:
“The stress began the day you learned you were expected to please other people. Parents wanted you to stay clean and be quiet. Neighbors wanted you to be respectful. Teachers wanted you to be attentive and alert. Friends wanted you to share and hang out. Whenever you failed to do exactly what someone expected of you, you weren’t good enough. You were bad, weak or dumb. Unfortunately, you began to believe it… The next time you want to know who you are, what you are or if something is the right thing to do, don’t ask your neighbor, ask the power within…and pay attention to the response!”
This is part of how we lose ourselves.