Hi Anita, I feel more free now. I used to feel like I had to prove myself to my siblings, but not anymore. I don’t think my value depends on what I achieve or how much money I have. I’m not working hard just to get respect from my family.

I also don’t feel the need to always please my older sister. Her opinions about me and the fact that she invested money in me don’t control me anymore.

As I think about it, I realize that maybe I saw my older siblings as parental figures because my father was not around when I was young. I looked to them for love, support, and protection, much like a child looks to a father.