Austin threw his hands up. "No matter what I say or do, it's always the same thing!" he said, voice raised in frustration.

We had been talking about his most recent visit with his mother, one he had begun with cautious optimism, hoping that if he explained himself just a little more clearly this time, she might finally understand how her comments affect him. Instead, the interaction followed a familiar pattern. She minimized his feelings, and immediately redirected the conversation to her own stress. When he tried to point this out, she ended by accusing him of being “too sensitive. Must be from your father's side.”

As Austin recounted the exchange, his shoulders tensed and his breathing became shallow. It was clear he was reliving the interaction. “I felt like I was twelve again,” he said after a moment. “Like I had to defend myself. Like if I could just find the right words, she’d finally get it.”

Learning to observe without reacting is a key part of emotional detachment, especially for those navigating relationships with emotionally immature or difficult family........

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