Realising that you experienced emotional neglect growing up can bring up a lot of mixed emotions; relief, sadness, anger, even confusion.

You might find yourself wondering, “Now that I know… what do I do with this?”

When we think about childhood emotional neglect, it’s easy to focus only not he past. But the trust is, its effects often follow us into adulthood - especially into our relationships.

If you grew up shouldering responsibilities that weren’t yours—whether that meant caring for younger siblings, managing household tasks, or acting as your parent’s emotional support system—you likely experienced parentification. At the time, you may not have even realised it was happening. It was just “normal.”

At the heart of our existence is our need to be intimate with and loved by another. But it can often feel like there are so many obstacles in our way.

There is not really one particular definition of a “healthy” relationship, as it depends on the ever-changing needs of those in the relationship. These needs change from person to person, and as we grow and experience life. So, a healthy relationship in your 20s will look very different from a healthy relationship in your 40s.