I'm working on my codependency issues right now and that means recognizing that, like any addiction, my whole life needs to change to accommodate my new worth. I have to leave my sexist, offensive community of origin behind. I have to disconnect from my family of origin, which is uninterested in my ongoing personal growth.

I become needy when I feel unsafe, and I cling to people who are hurting me so I don't have to feel the pain of their exploitation and cruelty when we separate.

That's sad--but what's worse is the fact that I've been blaming myself for their attitudes and behavior for ages.

F that.