I've noticed that I feel incredibly embarrassed to interact with other people when my parents are around, and I don't understand why. I mean, I'm 25+ years old, but the feeling is overwhelming.
For example, if my parents ask me to cancel an appointment, I take my phone to another room to do it so they won't hear me. Like, It's just canceling an appointment, not something illegal.
I don't want my parents to know what I'm really like when I'm not with them. I feel like I have a different personality when I'm with them, and sadly, that personality is less me being myself than when I'm with others.
Why do I feel the need to hide even mundane interactions from them?
Is it normal to have such a different persona with my parents, even as an adult?
I know it has a lot to do with me being embarrassed for not living up to their potential but I just cannot get my head around as to why I can't even make a mundane conversation with a random person when I know my parents are near me.
Can someone help me understand?