My So-called Assertiveness

I am beginning to see a strong pattern of essentially giving up too easily on what I stand for. Throughout my recent years, I've switched from being angry to being passive. I may raise an issue - in my marriage for example, but when agreements and next steps are not followed-thru, I resign myself to the status quo.

I've often talked about a 'prison' feeling, attributed to my job or a vague sense of being placed outside happiness somehow, forced to submit to rules or culture I dont connect with or agree with. I think the actual reality is closer to home: I am in a relationship wherein we dont agree to the same definition of marriage, and therefore find ourselves in frequent minor disagreements about little things. These little things, however, are emblematic of values I dearly embrace.

I've never made a big deal about this to her, yet I focus on that loss a lot of the time. Yes, she's being obtuse and not looking to see my larger point or trying to understand what I'm all about. BUT, I'm not standing firm on the things that matter.