It's interesting that my top three are in the earn column. I feel I have to earn everything and am worthy of nothing. Sounds accurate.
Be perfect to get love, be loving to get loved and be hypervigilant to stay safe.
I don’t see any of them as better or worse, just different.
Assert seems like a statement of by these actions I will have autonomy, validation, and peace of mind through willfully violating the boundaries of others, playing someone else’s game hard for rewards, and always being busy so there’s no me left to defend.
Earn seems like a statement of by my efforts I will prove that I deserve autonomy, validation, and peace of mind through being my own harsh inner critic, currying favor with those in control, and always being on guard and looking for threats.
Avoid seems like a statement of by hiding who I am I will obtain autonomy, validation, and peace of mind through not getting involved to begin with, crying out poor me in hope of sympathy and care, and retreating to the safety facts provide, because they can’t be invalidated like emotions can, so the real me can stay safe.
my 2¢,
Ian