Relationships

Our relationships are core to who we are. They shape our perspectives, our actions, our values and beliefs, and our goals.

Relationships can magnificently impact us. Healthy relationships build up our strength and resilience. Harmful relationships tear down our confidence and self-esteem.

Thus, attending to one’s relationships in life, and learning to understand how others impact and affect our wellbeing, is a lifelong skill and our specialty.

It’s not easy. But it’s worth it.

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember what a healthy relationship is supposed to look and feel like.

Sometimes it’s hard to determine what’s good and what’s bad in a relationship.

And sometimes, we start seeing signs that our relationship is deteriorating, without knowing what to do.

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember what a healthy relationship is supposed to look and feel like.

The relationships we form with other people are vital to our mental and emotional wellbeing. Research finds that healthy relationships protect against stress, provide a sense of purpose, motivate healthy behaviors, and promote life longevity.

Healthy relationships (romantic relationships, friendships, familial relationships -- they all count!) can make for a healthier overall life.

But what exactly does a healthy relationship look like?

• A commitment to compromise

• An appreciation of personal “freedoms” in friendships, professional goals, and hobbies

• An ability to problem solve and listen in moments of challenge

• Refraining from stonewalling or escalating personal attacks when there is a difference of opinion or a problem

• An ability to “talk it through” with respect, openness, empathy, and understanding

• A commitment to honesty in what you do and say

• A desire (and effort) to spend time together and share experiences  

• An ability to share/express emotion: laughter, tears, disappointment, gratitude, and joy…

These are some of the building blocks we can help you work on in re-discovering health and longevity in your relationship. Sometimes, all that’s needed is help getting back to the basics—and we can help you act on this.

Sometimes it’s hard to determine what’s good and what’s bad in a relationship.

Truth: No relationship is all good all the time.

There will be hard times and boring times. There will be arguing and complaining. There will be hurt feelings and misunderstandings. There will be selfishness and difference of opinion. There will be financial struggles, family struggles, and health struggles.

And, there can also be moments of joy and spontaneity. There can be moments of apology and perspective taking. There can be moments of compromise and empathic understanding. There can be selfless acts of love and gratitude. There can be extra work, time, and efforts.

Reality: Healthy relationships are not immune to challenge. Quite oppositely, healthy relationships are full of challenge.

Those in healthy partnerships commit to facing challenge together, and accepting it as part of what builds a foundation that also breeds joy.

We can help you with this.

And sometimes, we start seeing signs that our relationship is deteriorating, without knowing what to do.

Relationships are hard work and they can break down. If you start noticing that there’s:

• Less communication

• Less time spent doing things together

• A lack of affection towards one another

• Secrets being kept

• More emotional outbursts or fights

• Arguments left unresolved

• A sense of apathy

• Feelings of jealousy or low self-esteem

It might be time to get help—both for your own wellbeing, and for the wellbeing of the relationship. We are here to help you in whatever direction you want to go next.