Did it ever feel like love in your family had to be won and someone always had to lose? Maybe your parents compared you to your siblings or made you feel like you had to compete for their attention. One day you were the favorite, the next day you were the disappointment, and someone else took your place. It wasn’t just about doing well; it was about outdoing someone else. Over time, that kind of emotional game teaches you that trust is risky and that connection comes with a price. So now, maybe you struggle with jealousy, competition, or needing to prove you’re the best—even if it means faking confidence or stepping over others. Deep down, you’re not chasing love; you’re chasing the safety that always seemed just out of reach.
4. Parental Disgust or Disdain for Vulnerability
Were you ever made to feel weak or pathetic just for having feelings? Maybe when you cried, got scared, or showed sadness, your parents didn’t comfort you. Instead, they rolled their eyes, called you dramatic, or even mocked you. Over time, you learned that showing emotion was dangerous—something that brought shame instead of support. You toughened up, buried your feelings, and learned to wear a mask that looked strong, confident, maybe even cold. Now you might struggle to open up or feel anything deeply, and when others show vulnerability, it might make you uncomfortable or even angry. But deep down, that reaction is just a shield protecting the part of you that was once told it was weak for simply being human.
5. Parental Projection of Own Failures onto Child
Did it ever feel like your life wasn’t truly yours—like you were living someone else’s script? Maybe your parents had dreams they never reached, and instead of letting those go, they put all that pressure on you. You had to be the smartest, the best, the most successful—not for you, but for them. If you didn’t measure up, the disappointment in their eyes cut deep. So you pushed harder, tried to be perfect, tried to make them proud, even if it meant losing yourself in the process. Deep down, you might still carry that pressure, feeling like you’re never enough or that failure isn’t an option. Now, maybe you chase success or attention not out of joy, but because you’re still trying to fix something that was never your burden to carry.
6. Emotionally Incestuous Dynamics
Continue reading on the next page
[adinserter block=”3″]
Sharing is caring!
