Empathy

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Being raised by and with a pair of angry narcissists, I learned "empathy" early....not in a good way, but as a means of self defense. If I could read what was coming, who was in what mood, and know what would appease....then I was safer. Not safe, but safer.

It's a hard thing to unlearn...feeling like I need to supply all of what everyone wants and needs, place my feelings and needs beneath theirs, etc. I'm learning, and doing better all the time....but that "disappear and lose perspective, as well as themselves"....oh hell yeah.

I think that in the same way we have to set boundaries with others in relation to us, we have to set boundaries with ourselves in relation to others.

We have to have some sort of healthy stopping point before taking on others' problems or always putting others before us.