Decoding Attachment Styles

Breaking the Protest-Withdrawal Cycle Between Anxious-Avoidant Dynamic


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Social media will tell you that anxious-avoidant relationships are doomed. That avoidants are narcissists. That anxious people are just codependent. I'm here to tell you that's oversimplified BS that keeps people stuck.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the anxious-avoidant dynamic with the nuance it actually deserves. After healing my own anxious attachment and being in a relationship with someone who's fearful-avoidant and has been actively working in therapy for over three years, I've learned that this isn't about finding a villain - it's about two nervous systems trying to feel safe in completely different ways.

We're covering:

  • The protest-withdrawal cycle: what it actually looks like and why it happens
  • 4 damaging myths social media spreads about this dynamic (and why they're wrong)
  • What secure attachment would actually do in these moments - not as theory, but as a real, usable framework
  • How to hold both empathy AND boundaries at the same time
  • The real questions to ask yourself if you're in this cycle right now
  • Why "just stop chasing" and "just communicate better" aren't solutions -they're oversimplifications

This episode doesn't tell you to leave or stay. It gives you the tools to make that decision from a grounded, informed place. Because you deserve relationships that feel secure, and you're capable of creating that - but only if you're willing to do your own work.

Whether you're anxious, avoidant, or watching this pattern play out in your relationship, this one's for you.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

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Decoding Attachment StylesBy Annalisa Bahadur

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