u/First_Management3860

Does anybody else have this issue? This is not exactly news to me, I have always been very conflict avoidant and non confrontational. I learned very young that the best form of masking was keeping my head down, not drawing attention to myself. But there are many people in this world who can see right through that mask, and they take advantage of it. I am (for obvious reasons) terrible at reading intention. I like to think I can read somebody’s vibe pretty well, but the second they open their mouth, I find myself wanting to believe whatever they are saying. I don’t realize people might have hidden motives (sex, money, power, the usual) until much too late.
I am doing some pattern recognition, and I am not trying to gain pity or play the victim, I’m just trying to recognize this behavior so I can learn how to prevent it in the future. I don’t normally realize I am being manipulated or taken advantage of until I am in severe burnout, wildly depressed and unable to function at all. This has happened at work, in relationships, friendships. I find myself giving so much of myself away and not realizing it until it’s too late.