Codependency with Goldfish

In this episode, Sarah shares how the death of her 20-year-old goldfish Joe triggered a full codependency relapse as she obsessed over whether his tank mate Jeff was lonely. Finn and Sarah dive into how we project our own unprocessed feelings onto others including our pets and create suffering where none exists.KEY TAKEAWAYSCodependency involves obsessive thinking about others similar to how addiction involves obsessive thinking about substancesWe often project our own unmet emotional needs onto others including pets and make up stories about what they needThe question to ask yourself when you start obsessing is what am I feeling right now and what story am I making upOur codependent behaviors usually start with our own unprocessed emotions not the other person's actual needsProjection can happen with anyone in our lives from romantic partners to children to petsNOTABLE QUOTE"The thing why codependency is awful is it doesn't work for either person. All it does is affect the relationship and it kills us. We go down the tubes with them." — Dr. Sarah MichaudConnect With UsWebsite: https://drsarahmichaud.comBuy the Book: Co-CrazyIf you loved this conversation, subscribe, rate, and review Leaving CrazyTown.Hosted by Finn and Dr. Sarah Michaud. Codependency healing with humor, honesty, and hope. Subscribe and buckle up.For educational and entertainment purposes only. Not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.