I'm not advocating the "tell them off" approach. I just want you to take the time, esp. that time, for yourself. There are 364 other days in the year to put up with them.

I understand perfectly the roles you get cast into and the amount of stress that occurs when you try to step out of the mold.

You are not dumb, simply too nice to people that don't appreciate it - they just use it. Please realize that you have value, you mean something - as a human being, as someone who has a right to decide things for themselves.

One day...........come on, I know you can do it. Just a few hours on one day. Don't let them stop you once. Then congratulate yourself on your accomplishment, slide back into the mold for awhile to recover, then work on things a little more.

I'm rooting for you, and the time for yourself.

Mary Alice