We all want to feel like we belong and because of this, we often give up ownership of ourselves and find ourselves living with codependency, or a reliance on others to make us feel good about ourselves. Three big ways we do this are using others to regulate our emotions, merging our identity with another, and needing validation as a for of self-worth. As you strengthen your sense of self against these things, you will find much healthier and more satisfying relationships and more happiness in your daily life.

Here are the items listed in this episode that you can use to take an inventory of yourself:

Signs of Codependency:

• Always feeling responsible for taking care of everyone in your life
• Doing just about anything to maintain a relationship (even when it’s one-sided)
• Feeling guilty or selfish if you take time for yourself
• Doing anything to avoid conflict
• Deprioritizing your own needs
• Feeling panicky about losing a relationship (even when it’s toxic)
• Not knowing what you want to do when you’ve got time to yourself
• Extreme reliance on other people’s compliments and approval
• Feeling hurt when someone doesn’t recognize your efforts
• Comparing yourself to others often
• Excessive self-sacrifice in order to earn love or prove your worth
• Difficulty making decisions
• A feeling of disconnection in your relationships (or like you can’t really be yourself) 
• Feeling like you don’t really know who you are anymore
• Criticizing or controlling others
• Feeling a lack of love for yourself or trust in yourself
• Difficulty regulating your own emotions
• Feeling overwhelmed and burned out a lot of the time
• Having low self-esteem

Here are the articles from my website about codependency:

• Codependency in Relationships: How to Spot It and How to Stop It
• How to Fix a Codependent Marriage

Here are the programs mentioned:

• Reclaim Yourself (Strengthen your sense of self)
• Reconnect (coming February 2025)

You can find more resources from me about strengthening your sense of self and improving your relationships at:

• www.amberaprice.com
• IG: dramberaprice