Any tips on how to unlearn conditional love?
Growing up in a home where love is conditional is having lasting effects on me as I navigate through life and relationships. I make myself over available to others disposal with the sole purpose of making their life easier, at the expense of myself. It’s not that I don’t enjoy being there for others but that it’s rarely reciprocated. I feel like a chameleon changing to fit every other person in front of me. Becoming exactly what they need, helpful, caring, kind, loving, angry etc. I feel like I have erased myself entirely to become everyone else’s person.
My parents taught me to always do what they told and that I have a responsibility to follow their rules. To always give everything without the expectation of ever receiving anything back and that’s what love is. I can understand that this thinking of conditional love is flawed, but I can’t seem to break my habits. I don’t know how to receive. I can’t except it when someone does anything nice for me because I feel like I didn’t do anything to deserve their kindness. Even though I go out of my way to do nice things for other the idea of anyone doing anything nice for me is beyond something I can grasp.
I have never been in a relationship because i am so deeply insecure that i am not enough. I have never made it though a single talking stage and i just don’t know how to do. I am not saying this for pity or the need for someone to validate how i feel. I genuinely want to learn how to stop doing this. I want nothing more than to be young and in love. To love someone wholeheartedly because of the person they are and not because I need to feel accepted. I want to know myself and be okay with being loved without feeling like I need to earn being loved.
Anyone have any advice? 😭
@Icouldbebetter8923
I think many have been through something like this. learn and know your boundaries. love yourself and it is easier to say, "NO I can't do this or that for you". your time and self-care is as important as always trying to be the person others want.
When we do things hoping to be liked or loved many people will take advantage of that. It is ok to do things for others, they returning the favor shows love. not returning the effort shows no respect for you. It takes practice and sometimes we may feel selfish in choosing us first. But all these people whom you have been doing things to earn love never put us first. we have to.