You learned early on to manage your own needs while going above and beyond for the loved ones in your life. You pushed yourself with irregular sleep schedules and never having a moment to yourself. There is a huge pressure as everything feels like it’s resting on your shoulders. You find yourself completely attuned to “what would others need” instead of “what do I need”?. You downplay your emotions with “I’m okay” and “it is what it is”. When someone would offer help you almost always responded with saying “I’m sorry” and internally feel like a burden. That’s why you almost always figure it out on your own because being independent is a part of your personality at this point.

This Isn’t the Childhood I Wanted

Your parents weren’t the type you saw on TV. They didn’t pay attention to your grades or extracurricular. They were often consumed by their own relationships and didn’t always have room for you. Because of this, you felt deep emotional loneliness or emptiness as a child and craved emotional connection from loved ones. It’s often difficult for you to trust your instincts when it feels like everyone else is somehow more right than you.

Struggling to Make it Through:

On a daily basis, you might feel on edge and restless. You can’t seem to find a routine for going to sleep especially when your mind won’t shut off. When others ask you to describe yourself or what you like you often draw a blank. That sense of self has been gone for a while. There is hopelessness in the future because all you feel like you do is mundane tasks of eat, sleep, work, repeat. It’s hard to find something fulfilling that has purpose when it feels like, you are numb or life is unreal.

You’re tired of feeling caught in this cycle:

• Feeling like a “hot mess” with everything

• Worried about conflict with friends or partners

• Continuing to push yourself until you feel so overwhelmed you become numb