Relationship Issues

I’ve long thought that coursework in high school and/or college should include emotion management, communication skills, conflict resolution, and boundary setting. These tend to be the hallmarks of healthy relationships, yet most of us are more likely to recall  all the state capitals or do basic algebra than communicate our needs and emotions in an assertive manner. Thankfully, there is hope! And while true emotional intimacy and relational connection are not for the faint of heart and require emotional vulnerability, learning how to communicate, to ask for what we need, and to listen can create more meaningful and fulfilling relationships than ever before.

As the well-respected writer and researcher Brené Brown often says, boundaries are compassionate. When we know what our own limits and needs are, we can more honestly communicate them to others without resentment, hurt feelings, over-responsibility, guilt, or shame. Even simply broadening our awareness of our own emotional experience can help us to better navigate the relationships in our lives. Don’t be shocked when I share the feeling wheel with you during our time together as a means of helping you get more familiar with your full emotional experience and get more clarity in how you relate to others.