I would say, a lot of my self esteem issues stemmed from cultural conditioning about how a woman needs to behave - aka to be selfless and have no boundaries (parents, spouse, in laws etc)

It is the biggest disservice one can do to oneself - not knowing your self worth, valuing it and learning to say no

Thank goodness I have made headway in that department - saying no comes much easier now - loving myself and knowing myself have helped a lot

Thank you for a beautiful read and the kind mention

It is so sweet that Chris's love for you was revealed on the day of your sea sickness - if that is not true love, I don't know what is 💙