When Gifts Become Trauma- Emotional Invalidation in Relationships | Episode 285

Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery

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Since getting into ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families), I have come to understand that I have gift trauma. This is a form of relational trauma (sometimes referred to as little t trauma) that is a result of something happening in the context of a relationship over time. For me, this came as a result of feeling emotionally invalidated through gifts in my past relationships. This week’s episode 285 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast is about when gifts become trauma- emotional invalidation in relationships!

If you feel like you don’t know how to be in your life, be in your feelings, feel situated within yourself, or how to be in relationships or organizations, it’s probably because you’re more focused on others than you are yourself. If this is you, you are a perfect candidate for Boundaries by Design: A Blueprint for Life, an 8-week structured course for women.

This group coaching program will give you the framework, coaching, and guidance to create a manual for your life. You’ll know where you end and others begin, what your responsibility is and what’s not, and what you like, want, need, and prefer.

In this episode of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast, I’m sharing some examples from my life where I have felt emotionally invalidated when family members or romantic partners have bought (or not bought) me gifts, how my relationship with my sweetheart is healing this trauma for me, and the importance of releasing expectations of others to find peace.

Let this be your reminder that you do not have to stay in relationships with people who continually invalidate you, whether it has to do with gifts or not.

Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on living a more whole life and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Fragmented to Whole at https://higherpowercc.com/podcast/

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Ep 131: Let Go of Your Expectations of Others and Meet Your Own Needs

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1. When Gifts Become Trauma- Emotional Invalidation in Relationships (00:00:00)

2. Barb recounts how her father's gifts made her feel invalidated and unloved, which continued into her dating life. (00:02:54)

3. Barb’s own tendency to overcompensate with gift-giving due to her codependent tendencies. (00:05:58)

4. How being in a healthy relationship can heal past trauma. (00:08:04)

5. The importance of setting boundaries and meeting one's own needs, which she learned through her recovery. (00:16:01)