Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family: Why You People Please, Fear Abandonment & Struggle in Relationships with Andrea Ashley

What if your fear of abandonment, people pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or attraction to emotionally unavailable partners didn't start in your adult relationships... but in the family you grew up in?In this episode, I'm joined by Andrea Ashley, host of The Adult Child Podcast, for a raw and honest conversation about growing up in a dysfunctional family, healing from childhood emotional wounds, and breaking the patterns that quietly follow so many of us into adulthood.Andrea opens up about her experience growing up with addiction in her family, the impact it had on her nervous system and relationships, her journey to sobriety, and what it took to stop carrying the weight of everyone else's emotions.Together, we unpack why so many adult children become chronic people pleasers, caretakers, and fixers, why healthy relationships can feel unfamiliar, and the heartbreaking grief that often comes with realizing your parents may never become the parents you needed.In this episode, we discuss:❤️‍🩹 What growing up in a dysfunctional family actually looks like (even if your childhood seemed "normal")❤️‍🩹 The subtle signs of childhood emotional neglect that often go unnoticed❤️‍🩹 Why adult children struggle with people pleasing, perfectionism, and feeling responsible for everyone else❤️‍🩹 How dysfunctional family dynamics shape fear of abandonment and romantic relationships❤️‍🩹 The connection between addiction, family roles, and survival patterns❤️‍🩹 Why setting boundaries with family can feel so uncomfortable❤️‍🩹 The grief of accepting your parents may never change❤️‍🩹 Practical ways to begin healing your nervous system after a dysfunctional childhoodIf you've ever caught yourself thinking, "Maybe I'm just too sensitive," "Why do I always put everyone else first?" or "Why do I keep repeating the same relationship patterns?" this conversation will help you understand where those patterns came from and, more importantly, how to begin healing them.If anxiety or anxious attachment keeps showing up in your relationships, even when love is there, your body may still be living in the past. I am an anxious attachment specialist & trauma informed somatic coach who helps people heal their anxious attachment using somatic healing & nervous system regulation.I have 4 spots open for 1:1 somatic support for people who are ready to reduce their anxiety/anxious attachment patterns. Somatic work helps your nervous system release old survival patterns that were formed before you had words, patterns like fear of abandonment, constant scanning, or feeling like you have to hold everything together to stay loved.When your body feels safe, connection no longer feels like something you have to earn.Book your free discovery call here to see if we’re a good fit to work together: https://calendly.com/freedomwithvalerie/discovery-callConnect with Valerie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithval/Connect with Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adultchildpod/Listen to Andrea's podcast episode featuring Valerie Wired for Abandonment: How Somatic Work Heals what Talk Therapy can't w/Valerie Rubin: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GUy0N6LJq4tAZLuZgZTqi?si=Ft0UL4hMQ2-l1ChbqFrQmwJoin Andrea's Healing Community here: https://theshitshow.mn.co/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn6iWE_Vg3B9abvwzjF3vD5go3oAQ_GZgtnzfKt8WxTEi4UW9CJ9en-MH2EAY_aem_8lwcE0CpcQBfuBUWmrLWrw