Thank you all so much for your support and for taking the time to give such thoughtful replies. Feeling the love here!

@LiteraryLark: Always good to hear from you and a special shout out for your kind words! I can relate to many of your experiences on so many different levels. I too, once went through a phase where my parents out of becoming overwhelmed at work dumped their stress on me, even at times when I too have had my own burdens to bear. I finally just had to sit down with my parents on a family trip as well as when I was home for the summer to discuss how my emotional boundaries were being tampered with. My parents were contrite that they unknowingly hurt me and following that rather difficult summer I'm as happy as I've ever been with my relationship with them. Now that I think about it my parents are both doctors, and even when they've dealt with uptight patients they've thrived off being both civil, friendly and going the extra mile to help others! Big hugs to you also

@Nowinners Thank you for sharing your experiences. I've also had to deal with feeling like a pariah in a world that seems to be coupling up ASAP but also getting rid of their single friends equally fast.

@sarahsweets Thank you for your reply and the support you've been showing me lately, as well as helping put this situation in perspective. I guess sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all, while a one-word answer counts as the extra mile. You've really encouraged me with hearing me out here and reading my thoughts once again. I'm 24 where a lot of people probably don't have things figured out yet, and I guess they show it by using a checklist in their relationships or what they want from others. This is something I've noticed, so your intuition is more than valid and correct.

@MickeyCheeky Thanks for your thoughtful and encouraging replies like always! It's good to know that niceness and assertiveness aren't mutually exclusive. Since you and many other members here have been so helpful I'll take your word for it!