I am so grateful to my mother who stood by me when I felt the need to attend therapy. At that time, I was simply going through the motions in life, feeling oddly isolated because I couldn’t shake off the sense that I was the only person grappling with these emotions. It was odd because I was great at taking care of everyone else—my spouse, my mother-in-law, my pets, my foster children. But I had no clue how to take care of myself. Then came the suggestion from my therapist to read Melody Beattie’s ‘Codependent No More’, and everything started to shift.
Melody Beattie crafted a book that gently dismantles the web of codependency, offering tools to regain control and foster self-worth. The themes of the book revolve around understanding codependency and outlining a path towards independence—emotional and psychological. By recognizing behaviors deeply ingrained in caregiving roles, you start to see how constantly prioritizing others often leaves you juggling empty plates, unaware of your own needs.
Imagine the revelation of discovering self-care, of deliberately choosing to nurture and value oneself. Up until then, my life was a series of ‘taking care of others’-this and ‘helping others’-that, but with nothing left for me. This book was the wake-up call I desperately needed to start integrating self-care into my everyday life. It’s like taking a deep breath of fresh clarity.
‘Codependent No More’ delves into practical transformations like setting boundaries—believe me, that’s a game-changer. It’s about crafting healthy relationships where you draw the line clearly. Developing self-compassion is another cornerstone advice from the book, and it’s true because understanding and forgiving yourself is so pivotal to growth.
There’s an emotional freedom and a psychological liberation that comes with embracing these principles. The changes don’t happen overnight, but with every step, there’s progress. And it all circles back to those who encouraged the journey in the first place, like my mother and therapist, who ensured that I found the tracks of my self-care journey. Tonight — I’m proud of myself and you should be as well.