🎠What it means to have grown up with an invalidating parent
Growing up with an invalidating parent meant living in a reality where your version of events was constantly questioned, your feelings were dismissed, and you learned to doubt your own perception of the world around you.
You may have experienced a childhood where your parent constantly reframed and redefined your reality. When you said you were hurt, they told you not to be dramatic. When you remembered something clearly, they insisted you were confused or making it up. This systematic undermining of your perception created chronic self-doubt that follows you everywhere, making you question your own judgment and constantly seek external validation for your opinions and decisions.
Now you may find yourself constantly asking "Am I overreacting?" or "Am I crazy?" even when your instincts are screaming that something is wrong. You've become so wired to seek external confirmation that you no longer trust your own inner compass. When conflict arises or important decisions need to be made, you find yourself driving without a GPS - never quite sure which direction is right, oscillating between trusting everyone else's directions and refusing all guidance entirely.