Hi there Learningeveryday (that’s a really great name to go by by the way :),

I think that it’s really important to be asking why this person’s judgement affects you so much because it shows a maturity and will undoubtedly lead you to a new level of growth!

On that note, I would ask not just what is it specifically about that person that made you desire their approval from a young age even though they are not (presumably) a parent or a relative? I went through the exact same situation (I’m not just saying that, when I read this I was like “whoa that’s me”). When I was young my father died and my mother had a long lasting mental breakdown, all of this led to the young adult me really craving attention and acceptance from someone, anyone who was not my family. This made me easy prey for someone very similar to the person you described.

SO I would ask you, is there something from the difficult upbringing you spoke of, a need that was not fulfilled for you as a child that this person seems to provide you? If yes, that may be why you once accepted the judgement because this person once was a stand in but now you are outgrowing that and questioning things (which is always good).

Keep your head up and never stop challenging yourself!! You are not alone 🙂

Cheers,

M