Teal Swan The #1 Way That People Get In The Way Of What They Truly Want
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Dec 6, 2025 Explore the surprising ways we sabotage our deepest desires by getting in our own way. Discover the concept of protector personas shaped by childhood trauma. Hear real stories, like Julian's battle with toxic positivity that blocks intimacy, and Nayeli's tough facade that repels connection. Learn how these protective behaviors can prevent success and leadership, and the importance of integrating our vulnerable selves. Teal offers practical exercises to help break down barriers and align with our true needs.
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Protector Personas Form From Early Adaptation
- People adapt personalities to their environment and unresolved distress, forming protector personas early in life.
- These protector personas split consciousness into vulnerable and coping parts to preserve the self.
Trauma Splits Vulnerability And Coping
- Trauma causes a split between the vulnerable self and the self that coped to survive, which we then identify with.
- The coping parts become protector personas that keep vulnerability at bay but later limit growth.
Pollyanna Positivity Backfires
- Julian built a toxic-positivity protector that dismissed negative feelings and left partners feeling alone and judged.
- His protector persona turned into unintentional gaslighting and prevented relationship change.