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Codependency

Are You Living in Someone Elses Shadow?

codependency-living-in-shadows

Understanding Codependency

  • Codependency often begins with love, caring, and good intentions.
  • Over time, it can become a pattern of losing yourself while trying to fix or rescue others.
  • Many learn early in life that their worth is tied to keeping others happy.
  • Therapy helps break that pattern so you can reconnect with your own needs — without guilt.

“A Painful Relationship Experience is When You Lose Yourself
in the Process of Needing Someone too much.”

Symptoms, Signs & Common Patterns

  • Difficulty saying “no”
  • Feeling responsible for others’ emotions
  • Fear of abandonment or disapproval
  • Over-giving, over-functioning
  • Seeking validation through care taking
  • Losing your sense of self
  • Feeling exhausted or resentful

The Emotional Cost

  • Codependency is emotionally draining.
  • You may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or invisible while taking care of everyone else.
  • This chronic stress can lead to depression, resentment, or burnout.
KEY— “You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

Healing Through Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries are not walls — they are informed, compassionate limits that protect your emotional space. In therapy, you will learn to:

  • Say “no” without guilt
  • Recognize your needs and feelings
  • Stop rescuing and over-functioning
  • Allow others to solve their own problems
  • Prioritize self-care without apology

“Codependency is When Your Well Being
Depends on How Someone Else Feels.”

Reclaiming Your Identity

  • As you stop living in reaction to others, your true self emerges.
  • You become grounded, confident, and self-directed — instead of defined by someone else’s needs or approval.

KEY— Your renewed sense of identity is the heart of recovery. You don’t have to lose yourself to love others. Healthy connection begins with honoring your own worth.