Why do I feel like I'm losing myself in my relationship?

Feeling like you're losing yourself in a relationship is a common experience that often indicates an unhealthy merging of identities or codependent patterns. This typically happens when you begin prioritizing your partner's needs, preferences, and emotions over your own to such an extent that you lose touch with who you are as an individual. You might find yourself adopting their interests, changing your opinions to match theirs, or suppressing parts of your personality that they don't appreciate. This pattern often stems from fear of conflict, rejection, or abandonment - you might believe that maintaining your individuality will threaten the relationship. people-pleasing tendencies can intensify this dynamic, making you feel like you need to be whatever your partner wants rather than being authentically yourself. Sometimes this happens gradually and unconsciously as you naturally adapt to your partner's lifestyle and preferences, but it becomes problematic when you can no longer recognize yourself or feel disconnected from your own desires and values. Low self-esteem can contribute to this pattern by making you believe that your authentic self isn't worthy of love, so you try to become someone more acceptable. The loss of self can also happen when you become so focused on the relationship that you neglect other important areas of your life like friendships, hobbies, career goals, or personal personal development. Healthy Interpersonal relationship should enhance who you are, not diminish or erase your identity development. Both partners should maintain their individuality while also growing together. If you're feeling lost in your relationship, it's important to reconnect with your own interests, values, and goals. Spend time alone or with friends, pursue activities that bring you joy, and practice expressing your authentic thoughts and feelings with your partner. Consider couples Psychotherapy if this pattern is deeply entrenched or if your partner resists your efforts to reclaim your identity development.