Our culture has a way of easily categorizing things in black and white terms. When we think of fighting with our partners, the impulse is to worry that it’s always unhealthy.
Not all affairs have to be physical. While we might think of infidelity as needing to have a sexual element, sometimes what we think are normal friendships actually cross boundaries.
Relationships take work. It’s easy to fall into autopilot mode, where the two of you are just going about your daily routines. When this happens, you might only be engaging in small talk and rarely having a real emotional connection.
Conflict will come up in every relationship at some point. But conflict doesn’t have to be chaotic, upsetting, or mean. In fact, it’s important to have good arguments!
Good relationships are built on healthy communication. Often, conflict arises when we aren’t communicating effectively. It’s important to learn how to say what you need to say to your partner without being accusative or demanding.
"Codependency" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it means much more than just clinginess. Codependent relationships are defined by an imbalance of power. One person devotes their time and emotional energy to another, who takes advantage of this behavior, consciously or unconsciously.
Living with anxiety can be difficult. It can affect our work life balance, our moods, our goals, and our relationships. Maintaining healthy communication with your partner in the face of your anxiety is key to nurturing intimacy and growing together.
In a partnership, good communication is the foundation for its success. For many people, it’s not a skill that comes easily! It’s important to think carefully about communication strategies that work for your unique needs as a couple.
You may have heard the term "codependent" used casually to describe someone who is "needy" or "clingy". However, codependency is a very real relationship dynamic, and it can be harmful.