Qamar Nazir
Christina Haack, a real estate investor and television personality, is no stranger to the limelight. Admired for her on-camera confidence and seemingly flawless career, she is well-known for her success in HGTV hits like *Flip or Flop* and *Christina on the Coast*. Behind the scenes, however, the 40-year-old mother of three is talking about something even more intimate: her relationship issues with codependency and neurotic attachment patterns. Haack discussed her life’s emotional struggles in an open new interview, indicating that despite her achievements, she is still very much on a journey of self-improvement and mental fortitude.
Haack acknowledged that “things can be challenging,” exploring the emotional tendencies that have influenced her previous partnerships. I wasn’t even aware that I had these patterns for a long time. But it was like a lamp going off for me when I began studying codependency and anxious attachment. The HGTV star described how her need to feel safe in relationships frequently resulted in strong emotional reactions and a crippling fear of being abandoned, which are characteristics of what mental health experts call an anxious attachment style. She revealed, “I was always in need of reassurance, always afraid that I wasn’t enough or that I’d be left behind.” “Your self-worth, your capacity for trust, and your interpersonal relationships are all impacted by that way of thinking.”
Haack’s candor regarding her mental and emotional well-being coincides with an increasing number of public people opening up about formerly taboo subjects. It can be intimidating for someone in the spotlight to reveal personal flaws. Nevertheless, Haack stated that she felt driven to tell her tale in order to support anyone facing same emotional struggles. “I am aware that a large number of people worldwide face similar challenges,” she remarked. It’s a common misconception that having money or success can make you immune to emotional difficulties, but this is just untrue. No matter who you are, healing is a personal journey that requires effort.
Haack also discussed in her reflection how her attachment style has manifested itself in her previous relationships, including two well-publicized divorces, one from British TV host Ant Anstead and the other from *Flip or Flop* co-star Tarek El Moussa. Haack now believes that unresolved emotional patterns are partly to blame for the ups and downs in both relationships, which were somewhat public. She claimed that she was unaware that she was attempting to address external issues rather than addressing her internal problems. “In retrospect, I can see how I was always searching for someone else to give me a sense of security and worth.”
Her healing process has been greatly aided by therapy and self-discovery. Haack revealed that she decided to put her mental health first and thoroughly investigate the causes of her emotional actions following her second divorce. “For me, therapy changed everything,” she said. It made me realize that having an anxious attachment style doesn’t mean you’re broken; rather, it simply indicates that you’ve experienced experiences that have made you fearful of being cut off.
“Learning to sit with discomfort and not react immediately out of fear is part of that work,” she said. “Your nervous system is always on high alert when you have an anxious attachment style,” Haack said. Even when nothing is wrong, you’re constantly looking for clues that someone is leaving or that something is amiss. Learning how to relax your own nervous system and reassure yourself without relying on someone else to do it for you takes a lot of effort.
Haack claims that despite her internal struggles, she is currently in a much healthier state. She has been married since 2022 to Joshua Hall, a real estate agent and former police officer, and she attributes her life’s stability and grounding to their partnership. She said, “Josh has been really helpful.” However, the effort I’ve done to present myself in a different way is what really strengthens our relationship, not simply him. I don’t need someone to save me anymore. I now know how to present myself fully.
Another important factor in her development has been becoming a mother. Having three children—Hudson with Anstead, Taylor and Brayden with El Moussa—Haack claims that her experience as a parent has strengthened her resolve to disrupt generational norms. “My goal is for my children to develop emotional intelligence, comprehend their emotions, and feel comfortable expressing them,” she stated. “I can best teach that by demonstrating it myself. That entails being forthright about my difficulties and demonstrating to them that asking for assistance is acceptable.
Fans have already responded favorably to Haack’s willingness to discuss codependency and anxious attachment in public, with many taking to social media to express gratitude for raising awareness of these frequently misunderstood topics. According to Rachel Morgan, a certified therapist with expertise in attachment theory, “when someone like Christina shares her story, it normalizes what so many people go through.”
In the future, Haack says she wants to utilize her platform to discuss mental health, emotional healing, and self-awareness more than just real estate and house design. She alluded to the prospect of producing content that focused on emotional development tools, personal development, and wellbeing. “Authenticity is in high demand,” she stated. “I want to contribute to a dialogue that promotes healing for others. Life isn’t flawless. I’m not flawless. However, I believe that what important is that I am learning.
Christina Haack’s vulnerability is a potent reminder that healing is a lifetime process that entails identifying patterns, accepting responsibility, and practicing self-compassion as the discussion surrounding emotional health continues to develop. Although Haack still has work to do, she has come a long way. And that’s something to be proud of, she says. She thought, “Healing is messy and non-linear, but it’s also beautiful.” “And every little step you take is something to be proud of.”