"If you've ever hit a moment on day three or four of a family visit when everything suddenly feels like too much, you're not alone. Most of us have a threshold, and once we hit it, even small interactions can feel overwhelming. Just know that's not a personal failure ― it's actually a common psychological response. And if you pay attention to the subtle signs that you're nearing your limit, you can avoid a tense blowup or unnecessary burnout."
""Even when the relationships are good and loving, it's completely normal to reach our limit. There are many different reasons why family togetherness can get harder as the days go on. "Extended family time essentially asks adults to regress into old family roles while simultaneously maintaining their current adult identity," said Erin Pash, a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Pash Co."
Spending extended time with family can produce emotional exhaustion even in loving relationships. People have thresholds, and small interactions become overwhelming once those thresholds are reached. Extended family time asks adults to occupy old family roles while maintaining adult identity, which creates cognitive and emotional strain. Longstanding family patterns, unspoken expectations, and unresolved dynamics amplify depletion. Familiarity can reduce consideration and increase irritability. Noticing subtle warning signs, setting boundaries, pacing visits, and practicing self-care can prevent blowups and unnecessary burnout while preserving relationships.
Read at HuffPost
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