Re: "The most important thing, though, is to take care of your emotional health and not to allow others to victimize you in any way."

To avoid suffocating ourselves it is necessary to speak of and share our fears we have of things, situations and people. If you are afraid of being criticized or put down by others, let them know about these fears, and understand that their criticism reflects their own insecurities and fears. If you resist letting others see your weakness, show it to them anyway. Tell your parents how you feel, not how you think you feel or why, otherwise you will just reap more criticism. Choose to experience whatever you resist in life, and it will set you free.

Andreas