Many adults struggle with a quiet, persistent sense of loneliness — even when they're in relationships, surrounded by people, or constantly giving to others.

In Episode 3 of 6 in the Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents series, we explore emotional loneliness and self-abandonment — how they develop, why they make sense, and how they continue to shape adult relationships, boundaries, and self-connection.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What emotional loneliness really is (and what it isn't)

• How self-abandonment forms in emotionally immature family systems

• Why disconnecting from yourself once helped you stay connected to others

• Common misconceptions about emotional loneliness and independence

• How these patterns show up in adulthood through over-giving, guilt, and difficulty identifying needs

This conversation isn't about blame — it's about understanding the emotional environments we adapted to, so we can begin responding differently now.

🌱 Gentle Reflection (Homework)

Take a few moments this week to notice:

• When do I override my own needs?

• What emotion do I tend to ignore first?

• Who do I abandon myself with most often?

You don't need to change anything yet. Awareness is the beginning of reconnection.

🎧 Up Next: Episode 530 — Why Boundaries Feel So Hard (And Why That Makes Sense)