Talia,
I very much can sympathize with how you are feeling. Now I know that everyone here is telling you that this is something you have to do for yourself and no one can do it for you. And they are right. No one can walk your path for you, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t walk next to someone, next to a guide. It’s like being on a dark path and you lost your flashlight, and then someone suddenly comes along with a flashlight that illuminates the path. Sometimes, the reason family and friends can’t help you or give good advice is because they have a certain image of you and how you should be handling something or how you should be doing something. Sometimes the people who help us most are the people we are not close with. What I am trying to get at, is that perhaps a support group would be just the thing for you. You would be surrounded by people going through the same thing, and there is often a measure of comfort in being able to share with people who know nothing about your past or who your family thinks you are or ought to be. In a support group, you could share and get ideas from others about how to move forward in your life and you would know you are not alone. Now of course, ultimately, no one can walk your path for you, but they can indeed offer support and guidance. You are not alone! There are many of us out there just like you. Find a group, and that might be just the right first step to take.

• This reply was modified 10 years ago by Sarada.