When our parent-figures directly or indirectly express preferences about our beliefs, wants, and needs, it creates a lack of space for our authentic Self-expression. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways and often results in reliance on external guidance—from partners, friends, even mentor types—for input into or feedback on all of life’s big and small decisions. These are the people who always need to talk things out—sometimes multiple times with multiple people—in order to figure out how they “feel.” Because they have always been told what they feel, think, or should be, they have no
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