We’ve all been there — the “therapist girlfriend,” the hype woman, the emotional anchor for someone who never asked about your day. That’s called emotional labor — and while it can be beautiful in a healthy relationship, it’s draining and destructive when it’s one-sided.
In this episode of Lessons in the Debris, Danielle Lea shares three unforgettable stories:
- The Daily Dumper, who texted his crises every morning but never asked a single question.
- The Coach, who leaned on Danielle for pep talks while ignoring her own milestones.
- The Disappearing Act, who made her essential during his crisis, then vanished when things got better.
Through humor, honesty, and hard truths, Danielle explores what emotional labor looks like in dating, why it’s not a love language, and how to recognize the imbalance before it drains you.
Red Flag Reflection:
If you’re their safe place but they’re not yours — that’s not love, that’s free therapy.
New episodes of Lessons in the Debris drop bi-weekly. Subscribe, sip, and heal out loud with Danielle as she finds meaning in the mess.
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