Grief, stress, disappointment, and unmet expectations quietly shape survival habits that once helped people endure overwhelming emotional pain. Over time, these habits harden into traits that feel familiar, protective, and necessary during moments of vulnerability. People often cling to them unconsciously, believing release might invite further loss, rejection, or emotional collapse. When survival becomes identity, how does healing even begin without feeling unsafe or emotionally exposed? Letting go feels difficult because emotional defenses form during pain, not weakness, and they…
