The Loneliness of Being the Cycle Breaker

You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic Parents

If you’re breaking toxic cycles in a family marked by emotional immaturity, narcissism, or borderline traits, there’s something we don’t talk about enough: the profound loneliness that can come with healing.

You’re not just setting boundaries—you’re stepping out of the role your family expected you to play. Maybe you were the peacekeeper, the fixer, the golden child, or the scapegoat. But once you stop playing by the unspoken rules, the system fights to pull you back in.

What hurts the most is realizing your family often wants access to the old version of you—not the healthier, more boundaried version you’ve worked so hard to become. That rejection can feel like losing your family all over again.

This episode is for the cycle breakers—the ones doing the heavy lifting, often in silence, wondering if anyone else truly gets it.

You’ll learn:

• Why healing often feels lonelier before it feels better
• How to reframe your isolation as a sign of growth
• Where to find real, mutual support outside of dysfunctional systems

Ready to connect with other cycle breakers? Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership: confidentboundaries.com/membership

Grab my free guide, 5 Guilt-Proof Boundaries That Actually Work (Even With a Toxic Parent):
confidentboundaries.com/guilt-proof-boundaries

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Membership: confidentboundaries.com/membership

Want more You're Not Crazy? Sign up for Bonus Episodes:
confidentboundaries.com/bonusepisodes

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instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Torie Wiksell is a therapist and coach who specializes in working with the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. Torie brings a unique perspective having spent years working with clients with personality disorders and growing up with a mother she suspects had NPD with BPD traits. Torie provides online therapy to clients located in WA, OR, and CA, and online coaching internationally.
Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you are in mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Chapters

1. The Loneliness of Being the Cycle Breaker (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to You're Not Crazy (00:00:14)

3. The Loneliness of Cycle Breaking (00:00:59)

4. Disrupting Family Dynamics (00:04:16)

5. Finding Your Community (00:10:00)

6. Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Announcement (00:14:54)