#20 Emotional Invalidation: Why You Feel Small In Your Own Famil
The quiet dismissal of your feelings? That sh*t cuts deeper than yelling ever could.
When someone avoids eye contact, scrolls their phone mid-convo, or chuckles at your story like it’s a joke—they might not say anything cruel, but your nervous system still gets the memo: You don’t matter here.
After a recent family visit left me feeling invisible and low-key spiraling, I had to unpack the slow-burn pain of emotional invalidation. If you grew up in a family where your feelings were ignored, mocked, or met with a blank stare, this episode is for you.
We’ll talk about:
How invalidation messes with your self-esteem and nervous system
Why subtle exclusion can trigger social anxiety, fawning, or people-pleasing
What to do when it happens again (because let’s be honest—it will)
How to validate yourself first and stop internalizing the rejection
Spoiler: people who dismiss you aren’t always evil—they’re just unbaked cookies (aka emotionally underdeveloped). But you? You’re allowed to feel what you feel. You’re allowed to take up space.
Grab my free boundary-setting scripts at kaylareilly.com/saythis, and remember—sometimes the most healing thing is finally seeing yourself.
Connect with Me:
Instagram: @NotYourTherapist.Kayla
Podcast: Subscribe to Not Your Therapist on Spotify , Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.
Loved This Episode?
If you found this episode helpful, the best way to support the show is by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more people discover Not Your Therapist and get the tools they need to grow. Thank you for listening!
