"I don't need anyone" felt powerful

until I realized it was actually a trauma response that started when I was seven years old. After working with thousands of families for nearly 20 years and doing my own deep healing, I've learned that hyper independence doesn't just appear overnight in adulthood. It develops in childhood when asking for help becomes unsafe. Here are the 3 signs you experienced this: 1. YOU STOPPED ASKING FOR HELP ✋ You used to go to your parents for everything. Then something shifted. You started struggling alone with homework, friend problems, and even basic needs. You'd rather fail than be a burden. You learned that needing help made you weak or annoying. 2. YOU LEARNED TO HANDLE EVERYTHING YOURSELF ✍️ Forgot your lunch? You went hungry rather than call home. Friend canceled plans? You spent the day alone instead of asking for a ride somewhere else. Got hurt playing? You cleaned up your own scraped knee. You became your own problem-solver because asking felt like bothering people. 3. YOU NEVER COMPLAINED OR MADE DEMANDS 🗣 "I'm fine" became your automatic response. You didn't ask for new clothes, complain when you were hurt, or express needs that might inconvenience anyone. You learned that having no needs = being loved. The results?