I remember having vivid dreams of the character who played Magnum P.I. on tv coming to save me when I was a kid. Then I'd wake up in the same space and cry.
I guess with each dysfunctional and abusive relationship I entered into, I was sort of hoping they'd be "the one" who truly wanted to love me rather than to keep on hurting me, but that didn't work out. The whole "love thyself" concept was incredibly foreign to me, and still feels odd, to be honest
I've finally reached an innerstanding with myself where I realize everything that gives also takes in some form or fashion, and I'm truly my best hope for "saving" my own sanity and well-being. Scary damn thought right there, especially after being taught for most of my life that I was never good enough for anything else.
Knowing where and whom to seek support from has been even more tricky, as I've also learned we can easily absorb the energies of the "helpers", too.
It's proven to be some tricky mind bending shit in many ways, especially based on the sick environment I'd been conditioned and raised in. I lived in fear of genuine compassion just as much as I feared direct violence. Trust was definitely non-existent.