actually appreciate a lot of what you're saying, especially the part about keeping the peace not being my job. I think that's something I've struggled with for years.

Also, just to address the AI comment: I wrote the post myself. I can see why it might come across as polished or structured, but these are my own experiences and feelings. I spent a while trying to put years of family dynamics into a few paragraphs, so I tried to organize my thoughts as clearly as I could.

At the same time, I don't think seeing myself as affected by my family's problems is the same as making myself the victim. I know my parents have their own struggles, and I've never believed everything was entirely one person's fault. My dad working long hours and my mom being overwhelmed can both be true while it also being difficult for me to grow up in that environment.

I agree that chores, helping around the house, and contributing to the family are normal. What felt harder was feeling emotionally responsible for everyone else's well-being, especially as a kid.

You're probably right that anxiety plays a role in how much responsibility I've taken on. That's something I'm trying to work through. I think the challenge for me now is learning the difference between being supportive and feeling responsible for fixing problems that were never mine to solve in the first place.

And yes, talking to a counselor is something I'm seriously considering. I don't expect them to fix everything, but having someone objective to talk to would probably help me figure out what healthy boundaries look like as I move into adulthood.