Thinking back, I'm realizing that the standard reaction to me being Upset or unhappy was for people to tell me to not take things other people said "Personally"

Like, what does that mean? The other person Clearly meant to demean me. Letting it roll of my back only makes them up their attacks.

Turning the other cheek only gave them another cheek to fuck up.
Being like the Water just meant I got Polluted.

Looking back, all the Altruism was co-opted to feed emotional vampires and monsters. And standing up for myself wasn't an option...

Because I was always Surrounded by these monsters. I'd stand up to one, only to be pig-piled. At home, and at work.

I'm free of that now. If I get myself into another situation where I'm Surrounded by Vampires... I'm going full Werewolf.