enmeshment

Your partner didn’t text back for two hours and you’ve convinced yourself they’re losing interest. Or you apologized three times for a minor scheduling mix-up, certain it revealed some fundamental flaw that would make them leave. You know, logically, that these reactions don’t match reality. But logic doesn’t stop the…

You check your phone and your stomach drops. Another text from them. You know engaging will leave you drained, anxious, or second-guessing yourself for hours, but ignoring it feels impossible. You’re stuck in this loop: caring about someone who consistently leaves you feeling worse, not better. Detachment isn’t about becoming…

You cancel plans with friends—again—because your partner needs you. You stay up until 2 a.m. managing your adult sibling’s crisis, even though you have an important meeting in the morning. You feel responsible for keeping everyone around you happy, and when they’re not, you’re convinced it’s your fault. What feels…

Does your mom depend on you for her emotional well-being? Does your partner prioritize a parent’s needs over yours—or your kids’? Do you feel like your parent’s expectations dictate your decisions—or that you’re “letting them down” when you do things your way? If any of this sounds familiar, you might…