Back in time, but not in a good way.

Hi ladies. So, I’ve been living with my parents for roughly 3 months now and I think I've hit my breaking point. I’m not really sure how to tell my folks that I need more space without hurting their feelings, but I can’t help but feel like I’ve gone back in time to when I lived here when I was in high school. Do you have any tips on how to address this with them in the nicest possible way? I can’t help but feel bad.

— Anonymous

What We're Sippin': Warm Chai Latte

• We find the spices to bring a sense of comfort while the caffeine kept us alert, clear-headed and intentional with our words.

Where We're Sippin': The dining room table, AKA the age-old battlefield of parent v. child. Or at a corner table on the second floor of Teaism if you're in the DC area, because their Chai's are quite possibly liquid gold.

Mother Teresa

Don’t feel bad, what you're feeling is completely natural. I see this as two issues: One is that you feel like you’re going back in time and losing/undoing your accomplishments. The second is that you’re losing your independence and autonomy as an adult. Rest assured that all you've accomplished up until this point isn't going anywhere. All will be waiting for you when you go back to your “normal” life, far away from the home you grew up in. As far as your independence, this you should discuss openly with your parents. Chances are, this is a change for them as well, and that's something worth connecting on. Just because your parents want to protect you or love to smother you, doesn't mean that it takes away how proud they must be of the independent adult you have become. Discuss without pressure, without deadline.

Ginger Ále

It's hard to not feel a sense of loss and discomfort when your environment changes due to something outside of your control. It's especially hard when this forces you to a return to a time or place in your life you feel like you've outgrown. The important thing is to not see this as a blast from the past but as a bridge to the future ("Great, Scott!") Pick a time when you don't feel like screaming your head off and running away, take advantage of the good vibes and bring up a few boundaries you'd like to put in place, like scheduling some you-time or cooking your own meals. It's nothing against them, it is simply for you.