If you took on the role of caretaker early in life, you learned to prioritize others’ needs over your own. As an adult, this can make it difficult to rest, set boundaries, or ask for support, as you carry many burdens that are not truly yours.

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If mistakes were not accepted during your upbringing and love felt conditional, fear of doing wrong can hold you back. Not out of ambition, but as a coping strategy. Perfectionism may have become a way to protect yourself from shame and criticism. When you faced early criticism or felt unseen, you may have learned to think, “It’s me who is wrong,” rather than understanding that the situation was difficult. This feeling of shame can become a fundamental part of how you view yourself.

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You may feel empty and disconnected from both yourself and others. This can stem from a fear of vulnerability. You might say yes when you mean no, and blame yourself for not expressing your needs. This fear of vulnerability often originates from early experiences where openness led to shame, rejection, or lack of support. When you suppress pain and difficult emotions, joy and other positive feelings can also diminish. It is important to understand that these patterns are not your fault, but strategies developed in a challenging life situation.