(((treehouse)))

You are waking up, and sometimes it can be a bit disorienting to wake up.

A few thoughts for you as you move through this process...

--This is *really* positive. It feels yucky, but it is a HUGE step forward.

--Allow yourself to grieve when the time comes. Part of waking up is realizing all you have lost out on by not valuing yourself. It is perfectly normal and healthy to grieve this loss. So, if you start to feel sadness, then anger, then disbelief, then anger...etc...know that you are grieving.

--Find some compassion for yourself. You have done the very best that you knew how to do, and it is 'ok' that you are just now having this realization. If you can, forgive yourself.

And, finally, you are not alone. I was a big pleaser, and it got so bad that it literally threatened my life. It can be painful to realize that after 'all I gave' I accepted abusive treatment, and didn't think to stand up for myself. That is where the forgiveness has come in. Yes, it is shameful, and stupid, and ridiculous that I would put up with abuse -- but the truth is I didn't think I deserved any better. Now I do know better, but I had to learn to forgive myself for not knowing in the past.

You are one brave and amazing person, treehouse, and don't you forget it!!!