Codependency is a complex set of traits and interpersonal dynamics. Recovery can feel overwhelming—especially in the beginning. To help you get started, I’ll describe three pillars of the framework I developed for codependency recovery and offer some reflective questions to aid you in changing your codependent thoughts and behaviors. The three pillars of codependency recovery …
Most people want to have close family relationships, if possible. However, family bonds can become too close, lacking boundaries and inhibiting individual identity development. This is a phenomenon known as family enmeshment—a dysfunctional dynamic that occurs when there is there isn’t enough emotional separation among family members. In this article, we’ll discuss: Definition of Enmeshment Enmeshment …
Family Enmeshment: What It Is and How to Overcome It Read More »
In this article, you’ll learn about: This article is for parents of teens and young adult children. Some of it may apply to parenting younger children. Additional information about how parents can break the codependent cycle with their children can be found in this article: Parenting When You’re Codependent: How to Break the Cycle. What …
Ending Generational Codependency: Parenting Young Adults Read More »
Friends play an important role in our lives. A friend is a trusted confidant, someone who “gets” you like no one else, and a source of fun and solace. A true friend has your back and supports you through life’s ups and downs. But friendships, like any other relationship, aren’t always healthy. Not all friendships …
Signs Your Giving More Than You Should. If you’re doing all the work–whether it’s household chores or emotional labor–in your relationship, you’re probably frustrated and unsatisfied. Relationships require a mutual give and take. Both people need to demonstrate empathy and care for each other. They need to show interest in each other’s goals and ideas, …
People who struggle with codependency, tend to struggle with perfectionism as well. To understand the connection, let’s start by taking a look at what perfectionism is and isn’t. What is perfectionism? Perfectionism isn’t striving for excellence. It’s an unrealistic and unrelenting expectation that you’ll excel at everything, always do and say the “right” thing, and …
Codependency and Perfectionism: Learn to Love Your Imperfect Self Read More »
The start of a new year is a natural time to look forward—to think about what matters most to us, clarify what we want to focus on, and set goals or intentions for the year ahead. But let’s face it, it’s easy to get pulled off course—to fall back into old patterns of behavior and …
How to Change Codependent Thinking. In this article, you’ll learn about “codependent thinking” and how self-defeating beliefs can impede your recovery from codependency. You’ll learn how to recognize codependent thinking and replace it with positive self-talk. What is codependent thinking? Codependency refers to an unhealthy relationship dynamic where one person is focused on taking care …
What is self-esteem or self-worth? Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. It’s similar to the concept of self-worth (and I will use the terms interchangeably in this article). Our goal is to have high self-esteem, meaning we feel good about ourselves most of the time. We know we have intrinsic value. And we know …
If you struggle with codependency, wonder if you’re codependent, or just have questions about codependency, this post will give you an overview of codependency: What is codependency? What causes codependency? How to start recovering from codependency. What is codependency? Codependency is a focus on other people’s problems, feelings, needs, and wants while minimizing or ignoring your …
