Love this piece, Debra. As a 64-year-old woman, so many of your points resonated with me. Like you, I spent a huge chunk of time people-pleasing and protecting OTHER people's emotions, at the expense of my own. No more! Also, I didn't take my writing seriously until my late 40s and my first book was accepted for publication at age 50. That was eight books ago. So, you CAN change your habits. A very inspiring essay! Nice to "meet" you here.