I don’t know why but sleeping in your childhood bedroom or being around certain relatives makes you physically feel like an anxious, defensive teenager again. While it may be nostalgic and feel like a trip down memory lane, the familiar environment can shock your body into a trap that can be hard to get out of.

Working with a therapist can help you learn nervous system regulation techniques (like feeling your feet on the floor or a specific breathing exercise) to physically ground yourself when you feel the regression happening.

You're still the one everyone calls in a crisis. Being the eldest daughter didn’t end when you moved out, got a job, or started your own family. You’re still the one everyone calls when something goes wrong or when they need the answer; the first responder for your siblings, the emotional translator for your parents. And while you’re proud of being reliable, you’re also tired. This role wasn't chosen; it was assigned. Now it’s bleeding into every corner of your life.