Yes, every single time until I was in a relationship with a sociopath which I ended, but it was so terrible that it made me look back on my life and relationship patterns.
Love was everything to me, and when I was in love I would completely lose myself in catering to the other person. The relationships would then end, either with me feeling completely suffocated (by the dynamic I had created), or due to the other person abusing me - because I'd missed red flags whilst I was so busy enmeshing.
It was classic codependency - but I rejected that for ages, because I am the most independent person - people depend on me! But that's not what it is about - and being very independent is actually a sign of it, because I was unable to ask for help when I needed it.
Codependency is seeking validation from outside sources, rather than being a source of love and approval to yourself.
Good books on it are 'Women Who Love Too Much' by Robin Norwood, and 'Codependent no More' by Melody Beattie
I also did Melanie Tonia Evans' NARP programme and it changed my life. I feel so free now, to follow my own dreams, rather than being on that endless desperate search for love.
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