feeling more hopeful

i'm feeling more hopeful about building healthy self esteem. i had a good talk with some girl friends today. they made me feel less codependent. they are "normal" women in long term relationships of varying states of happiness/satisfaction.  they made me feel more normal.  as much as i am glad i found this support group, i need to stay in touch with "normal" too so that i don't completely pigeonhole myself in the codependent identity and feel trapped by it.  i don't want to use it as an excuse for not doing right by myself. i need to remain hopeful that i can find a way to love myself and STAY that way.