48. Eldest Daughter Syndrome: The Burden of Childhood Responsibility

In this episode, host Beth reads a letter from "L" about Eldest Daughter Syndrome — the emotional toll of being thrust into caregiving, responsibility, and perfectionism early in life. Through personal reflections and poignant examples, the episode explores how this role shapes identity, causes burnout, and makes boundaries feel foreign, while offering hope through unlearning, self-compassion, and reclaiming one’s life.

About this week’s featured contributor:
L is a non-native English writer whose work explores introspection, emotional nuance, and the kinds of thoughts or feelings that often go unspoken. She tries to stay honest to her own life and experiences, writing from specific emotions she’s sat with for a while. You can find her writing at lettersbylau.substack.com and you can read the featured piece, Eldest Daughter Syndrome, at lettersbylau.substack.com/p/eldest-daughter-syndrome.

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