Nicole Pitt

You finally say no. You are respectful. You do not yell. You do not slam a door, deliver a dramatic monologue or disappear into the night wearing a mysterious cape. You simply say, “I can’t do that this time.” And then your body reacts as though you have committed a serious offence. Your stomach tightens. Your mind begins reviewing the conversation like security footage. You wonder whether you were selfish, cold, difficult, ungrateful or secretly a terrible person. Before long, you are...

Maybe people often told you that you were responsible. Helpful. Independent. Mature for your age. Easy to trust. You knew how to keep younger siblings occupied, prepare food, solve problems, smooth over arguments, and sense when an adult was becoming upset. While other children were learning how to ask for help, you may have been learning how not to need any. Some children had a chore chart. Others had an invisible job description: Keep everyone calm. Do not make things worse. Take care of...

Why You Still Monitor Everyone’s Mood ... and How to Rebuild Self-Trust Written by Nicole Pitt, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist Founder, Waves Psychotherapy Published: July 15, 2026 A note before reading: This article offers general psychoeducation. You may recognize some experiences and not others; none of these examples can determine a diagnosis or define your family for you. Read at your own pace. Someone you love walks into the room and seems quieter than usual. Nothing has happened. They have...