Downplaying my efforts
Whenever I achieved something, they downplayed my efforts, making me feel unworthy. I remember winning a science fair in middle school.
While my friends and teachers celebrated my achievement, my siblings scoffed and said it was just ‘dumb luck.
’ Even when I scored the highest grades in our class, they insisted I had cheated or that the tests were too easy.
These constant put-downs made me question my value, no matter how hard I tried.