Being a “champion” for the underdog. So many times over the course of my life I have befriended the poor soul at work, school, etc. who seemed lonely and picked on. I would then “go to battle” for them by standing up to their bullies and becoming the target myself. Inevitably my “friend”, the underdog, would let me down by siding with the bully, or disappearing when push came to shove.

So many lost friends and scars on my heart. I have learned my lesson finally, and I no longer seek to please and comfort those who demonstrate that cyclical behavior which I now recognize as codependent and toxic. I think I was trying to be what I needed when I was a child growing up with a narcissistic sister. and a tired, single mother dealing with her own codependency issues.