Staying Power 05-27-26 When ‘Independence’ Becomes Armor

Episode 123: “When ‘Independence’ Becomes Armor” When people let us down, it can feel empowering to say, “I’m becoming more independent” or “I’m setting better boundaries.” And sometimes that’s exactly what’s happening. But sometimes, what we call independence is actually grief. What we call boundaries is actually bitterness. And what we call self-protection is slowly becoming self-isolation. In this episode of Staying Power, Ashley and JD explore how disappointment can harden into guardedness, why the COVID years and social media may have intensified this pattern, and how to move from rebellion and resentment into healthier discernment, connection, and self-trust.