What is an interdependent relationship? Humans are social beings; we’ve always craved connection and depended on each other for our survival. Relying on others for emotional and practical support is a natural part of the human experience. This is called interdependency. In an interdependent relationship, people rely on each other for support and love—and also …
Key points about boundaries and enmeshed relationships: What is an enmeshed relationship? An enmeshed relationship lacks boundaries. People in enmeshed relationships are so close that they lose their individual identities. Enmeshed relationships can be between parents and children, siblings, romantic partners, or friends. If you’re in an enmeshed relationship, you may: People in enmeshed relationships …
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 »
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 …
Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when dealing with friends and family members who tend to dominate conversations. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective strategies for establishing and enforcing clear and polite boundaries with people who talk too much. People “over-talk” for all sorts of reasons, including anxiety, selfishness, or missed social cues. No matter the …
Do you find it difficult to feel good about yourself? Do you compare yourself to others and feel defective, inferior, or inadequate? When you don’t have a strong sense of self-worth, it can be hard to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, ask for a raise, or have healthy, satisfying relationships with others. In this article, you’ll …
Many of us avoid setting boundaries because we feel guilty when we set a limit or ask for something. Feeling guilty is understandable, but often not warranted. The tips in this article can help you set boundaries without guilt. Boundaries are important for several reasons. They create healthy relationships and clear expectations. Boundaries protect us …
Some boundaries should never be crossed. Learn when to compromise—and when to hold firm with your boundaries. Not all behaviors should be tolerated in your relationships. We set boundaries to let others know what we expect and how we want to be treated. But what happens when an important boundary is crossed? We need to …
Many families experience estrangement. Sometimes an estrangement lasts a lifetime and other times family members reconcile and either put aside their differences or forge a stronger relationship. An estrangement can be a complete cutoff of all communication (no contact) or a partial cutoff where one person makes a consistent effort to limit contact or emotional …
It can be hard to understand why adult children cut ties with a parent. This is usually because we assume that parent-child relationships are not only important but functional. Family is forever. Blood is thicker than water. These sayings reflect our assumptions that family relationships are close and long-lasting. Parent-child relationships, in particular, are expected …
