If you have a narcissistic family member, you know how quickly they can derail the holidays. Perhaps it’s a criticism of Sally’s new boyfriend, a meltdown over the dessert selection, or an offensive joke that shifts the mood in the whole room. And without realizing it, you slip back into old survival habits like over-explaining, […]
Narcissist Trying to Ruin the Holiday? Here’s How to Handle It Read More »
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
Guilt keeps many people stuck in dysfunctional or codependent relationships because they prioritize other people’s needs and happiness above their own. Generally, we hope or expect that relationships will last forever. We idealize close family ties, soulmates, and decades-long friendships. But sometimes this unrealistic. Believing that our relationships should last forever keeps us connected to
Healing from an unhealthy or toxic relationship involves learning to trust yourself again. Unhealthy relationships erode your ability to trust yourself Unhealthy or toxic relationships can destroy your trust in others. For example, if your partner cheated on you or called you derogatory names, it makes sense that you may have trouble trusting that your
Why do so many people miss relationship “red flags”? In this article, you’ll learn what to look for, so you can avoid abusive, codependent, or destructive relationships. When a relationship ends or isn’t going well, it’s natural to reflect and wonder whether there were signs — or red flags — that your partner wasn’t a
11 Relationship Red Flags and Why We Ignore Them Read More »
Are you quick to blame yourself – even for things you didn’t do or couldn’t control? When things go wrong, is your immediate response “it’s all my fault” or “I shouldn’t have done that”? For many of us, self-blame and criticism are insidious. We’re unrelenting with our demands and expectations and we’re our own worst
Emotional invalidation is painful. Sometimes it’s unintentional, but it’s a sign of emotional abuse when done repeatedly and intentionally. Have others minimized, shamed, or invalidated your feelings? Having your feelings diminished, ignored, or rejected is a painful experience for all of us – but even more so if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or
Emotional Invalidation: A Form of Emotional Abuse Read More »
