• Notice when I invalidate myself and diminish who I am in deference to others • There is a tendency to infer negative intent, e.g., that others will mock me or make fun of me. This is a choice I am making based on past experiences or a story about the past, not the truth. [...]
Clients with relationship difficulties often complain about their partner: “he doesn’t listen to me, ” or, “he should know how I feel without me telling him”, or, “she just talks all the time and doesn’t let me explain myself”, or, ”why should I ask, she’ll just say no.” When communication devolves into complaining, the relationship is suffering. In America, we are taught [...]