Sharon Martin's Blog

The holidays often stir up emotions we didn’t expect. Maybe you dread a conversation with a critical relative, feel a sudden surge of anger out of nowhere, or start crying when a specific song or movie comes on. Emotional reactions to holiday triggers like these can hit hard, leaving you tense, anxious, or overwhelmed. Recognizing …

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Do you feel empty and disconnected? Do you sense that you’re different than everyone else, but you can’t put your finger on what’s wrong? Childhood Emotional Neglect and codependency are a powerful experience, but one that often goes unnoticed and untreated. In fact, many people who experienced Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) describe their childhood as …

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As a highly sensitive person (HSP), toxic relationships can feel impossible to escape. This article explores the complex reasons why HSPs stay in toxic relationships and how you can break the cycle while remaining true to yourself and your sensitive nature. If you’re a highly sensitive person like me, you probably process sensory input, emotions, …

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For many estranged adult children, guilt is one of the most persistent and complex emotions to cope with. Even when the choice to create distance from parents is necessary for emotional health, a heavy weight of “shoulds” can linger. You might think, “I should be more forgiving,” or “I shouldn’t have cut ties.” These thoughts …

Why Estranged Adult Children Feel Guilty (and How to Cope) Read More »

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Do you drop everything when your parent calls, even if it means canceling your own plans? Do you frequently feel guilty if you try to set limits or put your own needs first? Or maybe you feel like your life isn’t fully your own because their needs and expectations always come first. If you grew …

Codependency with Parents: How to Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Independence Read More »

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Letting go without closure from a narcissistic parent can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re waiting for an apology or acknowledgment that may never come. Narcissistic parents often prioritize their own needs over yours, using manipulation, emotional neglect, and control tactics to maintain their position. They typically lack empathy, avoid responsibility, and remain unwilling to recognize …

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably grappling with one of the most difficult decisions a person can face: cutting ties with family over politics. You might be questioning whether you’re overreacting, wondering if you’re being too sensitive, or feeling guilty about distancing yourself from people who raised you or shared your childhood. Let me be …

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If you’re wondering how to stop being controlling, you’re not alone. Many people feel compelled to manage every detail of situations and other people’s choices. For example, you might feel anxious when someone else is driving, find yourself redoing tasks that others have already completed, or feel the urge to jump in with suggestions even …

How to Stop Being Controlling: Break Free from Micromanaging Everyone Read More »

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No parent expects to find themselves searching “how to deal with abusive adult child” in the middle of the night, yet here you are. The child you raised, worried about, and sacrificed for now leaves you walking on eggshells, questioning your reality, or dreading their phone calls. This isn’t the relationship you imagined when you …

How to Deal with an Abusive Adult Child: A Guide for Parents Read More »

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Going no contact with parents isn’t a decision anyone makes lightly. Yet when someone chooses this path to escape abusive or toxic family dynamics, they’re often met with judgment, disbelief, and harsh criticism. Society tends to view these decisions as impulsive, selfish, or evidence that someone hasn’t tried hard enough. The reality is far more …

Going No Contact with Parents: A Trauma-Informed Perspective Read More »

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