In today's episode, Andrea and Jessica delve into the profound influence of childhood labels on our self-identity and how we interact with the world. They shed light on how society often reinforces the notion that we should conform to a narrow set of expectations, such as being happy and easygoing.

Jessica talks about her experience of being labeled “the happy child” and how this formulated the belief that something was wrong if she didn't feel or show happiness to the outside world. Anything outside of this norm is deemed abnormal or wrong, leading individuals to believe they are inadequate unless they fit into these labels.

Andrea and Jessica also highlight how labels can shape the way others treat us and the expectations they have of us. Moreover, they acknowledge that others do not solely impose labels; we also label ourselves based on our own experiences and perceptions. They encourage listeners to reflect on the labels they have assigned to themselves and consider how they may influence their understanding of themselves and their relationships with others.

This episode underscores the immense power of labels in shaping our identity and interactions with the world. It urges listeners to challenge and question these labels to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Timestamps:

[00:03:48] Childhood labels and adulthood.

[00:04:27] Labels and self-identity.

[00:08:12] Childhood labels and conditioning.

[00:13:13] Shifting attention from happiness.

[00:16:40] Learning to be vulnerable.

[00:19:38] Labels and their impact.

[00:24:05] The impact of difficult babies.

[00:27:05] Gaining a deeper understanding.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Honest Women is the podcast for every woman juggling the demands of modern life (while trying to keep her shit together) and finding that it’s all just a little more difficult than she thought it would be. Your hosts, Andrea Burkly and Jessica Hutchison, are two very real mental health professionals who are taking honest conversations from inside their offices to the outside world.

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