a member

For as long as I can remember, my family, especially my mother and occasionally my aunts, have always been manipulating me to be what THEY want me to be. I always let myself down because I didn't have the courage, and from what I was led to understand, my decision was never valid. I wanted to have, buy, do, and even say so many things that I wasn't allowed to. A few years ago I began to understand that what they wanted wasn't what was best for me, and that it was time to at least do more for myself than for them. I started saving the money my mother gave me, thinking about what I should focus on, and making my own decisions. Now I say no when I really don't want something, even when they try to force me or manipulate me with words like "But it's for your own good," "it's your obligation," and more. Especially when I know it's really going to affect me more than it affects them. That's a small thing, I still have other things to work on, but I'm proud nonetheless.