I wish I knew sooner that I needed to be my true self rather than what others wanted me to be, especially what my parents wanted me to be. Well into adulthood I found myself constantly trying to be what my parents wanted. I now see that how they wanted me to act, what they wanted me to say, how they expected me to jump every time they called was a way of manipulation and had slowly changed who I was. I always felt like a stranger going against my will in everything in life because I was trying to do things they way my parents would be proud. The problem was they never were proud. They just always asked for more and more. I was drained. I was taking care of a household with a husband, 4 kids, and animals while living with the stress of being in the military and moving constantly. People would say, "you act just like your mother or father" and I took pride in knowing I was doing it "RIGHT". Until one day it all collapsed. My husband and I got into a disagreement and he let everything spill. I have no idea what we were fighting about but I will always remember his words of how I constantly tried to please my parents instead of being myself. His words cut deep but rang true. It sent me on a path of self discovery. Now almost 7 years later I am a totally different person. I am "ME". My thoughts and actions are my own. My dad has passed and my mom hardly talks to me but I am happy. I feel free and have so much weight off my shoulders. I think I did see this happening earlier in life but always wanted to be the good daughter. Now I see things differently and through my own eyes and only wish I would of had the courage to take control and not be a people pleaser so much earlier in life.