*Based on real events* Maya was about to leave her home for her masters. Ambitious, with dreams of attending a top university far from her home. As the day of departing approached, Maya felt anxiety about leaving home for the first time. In the days leading up to her departure, Maya’s behavior began to change. She became irritable, picking fights over trivial matters. She accused her parents of being overwhelming, sometimes storming out after heated arguments. Her parents were confused and hurt. They worried that their relationship with Maya was falling apart just as she was about to leave. *The Psychology: Soiling the Nest* In psychology, this term describes how yoing adults/adolescents create emotional distance from loved ones before a major transition, like leaving home. By picking fights and fostering conflict, Maya was unconsciously making it easier to separate from her family, reducing the pain of saying goodbye.