Would you like to increase your self-esteem in 2020? Do you want to reduce codependency and perfectionism and treat yourself with more compassion? Even though nothing magically changes on January 1st, most of us like the idea of a fresh start. And the start of a new year is a natural time to look […]
It feels good to be praised, to have your feelings affirmed, to be told you did a good job, and to be appreciated. It’s normal to want validation from others – your parents, spouse, boss, friends — but some of us seek external validation to an unhealthy level. We rely on others to make […]
Codependent thinking and behaviors can sabotage our health, happiness, and relationships. Here are some examples: Codependents neglect themselves in order to take care of others. Codependents lose their individuality trying to please others. Codependents don’t ask for what we need – and often don’t know what they want or need. Codependents get obsessed with other […]
Cutting ties with toxic famiy members is an act of self-care. Not something you do because you’re mean or spiteful. It’s something you do to protect your physical and mental health. It’s never easy to cut someone out of your life. And when it comes to family, it’s especially hard to accept that a […]
What’s the difference between healthy caregiving and codependent caretaking? It’s natural to express love by taking care of others, especially when you see a loved one struggling or hurting. However, the difference between codependency and caring isn’t clear. Certainly, not all caregiving is bad or unhealthy. When trying to determine if our caretaking is […]
What is codependency? Codependency is a broad term and it can manifest in a variety of ways. Below are some of the most common symptoms of codependency. You don’t need to have them all to consider yourself codependent. I find it’s helpful to think of codependency on a spectrum – some of us experience more […]
Setting boundaries can be hard! Do you struggle to set boundaries? Well, you’re not alone. Mental health professionals and self-help gurus put a lot of emphasis on boundaries because they’re the foundation of healthy relationships and a strong sense of self-worth. Boundaries serve two main functions: Boundaries tell others how you want to be treated […]
Being close to your family is usually a good thing, but it’s possible to be too close. Enmeshment describes family relationships that lack boundaries such that roles and expectations are confused, parents are overly and inappropriately reliant on their children for support, and children are not allowed to become emotionally independent or separate from […]
Codependents often focus on other people and their problems – sometimes getting obsessed with or fixated on helping or fixing things outside of their control. Not only can this lead to self-neglect, but it’s also frustrating and largely a waste of time and energy. Instead of focusing on things that we can’t control or […]
We all know a person or two who’s overly dramatic. Perhaps it’s your mother or cousin, your coworker, or your neighbor. It’s draining to spend time with people who exude negative energy, always seem to have a problem or crisis, and demand your attention. Often, overly dramatic people, such as these, want to suck you […]