Posts tagged codependence
Cultivating Security ~ Part 2: Do Relationships Fan the Flames of Our Insecurities, Or Do They Put Out the Fire?
Cultivating Security ~ Part 2: Do Relationships Fan the Flames of Our Insecurities, Or Do They Put Out the Fire?

Romantic, professional, platonic, familial… The relationships in our lives can significantly influence our physical, mental and emotional vitality. Meaningful relationships help us experience a sense of safety and trust, and have been shown to be a critical protective factor against common emotional or social ailments (eg. depression, addiction, etc). Yet we can also be hurt in relationships, which can ignite our insecurities and internal defenses. When we listen carefully and pay attention to our needs and feelings in the context of our relationships, we discover more about how to trust ourselves and others, and we access the incredible healing potential of relationships.

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People and RelationshipsErin Masonsecure relationship, relationships, healthy relationships, attachment, insecurities, couples, codependence, discovery, defense mechanisms, fear, trauma, heartbreak, love, loss, opportunity, safety, self-confidence, trust, threat, vulnerability
Cultivating Security ~ Part 1: Understanding Our Dragons (aka Insecurities)
Cultivating Security ~ Part 1: Understanding Our Dragons (aka Insecurities)

“It does not do to leave a dragon out of your calculations if you live near him,” author J.R.R. Tolkien advises. Many of life’s uncertain situations can provoke our “dragons." Insecurities cause us to feel anxious and doubt ourselves. When they emerge we may experience fear, lack of belonging or connection with others, and low self-worth. Getting to know your dragons can be powerful leverage as we navigate the challenges of life and relationships.

In this 3-part article, we explore:

  1. Where our insecurities come from and how, where, and when they show up

  2. The benefits and limitations of our relationships to help us heal and restore a sense of security

  3. How to deepen our sense of safety, trust and understanding from within ourselves to create a more sustaining and resilient self-identity.

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Self-DiscoveryErin Masonsecurity, secure relationship, insecurities, attachment, codependence, couples, healthy relationships, self-image, self-confidence, self-sabotage, trust, experience
The Olympics of Relationships
The Olympics of Relationships

Navigating relationships should be its own Olympic sport! It requires endurance, practice, perseverance and commitment, not to mention to ability to skillfully overcome hurdles. We bring our own values, beliefs, aspirations and expectations, and we speak our own respective “love languages.” Finding ways to interconnect and interact with one another is not always smooth, easy or straight forward. Exploring five basic categories of romantic partnerships (independence, mutuality, interdependence, dependence, and co-dependence), we are reminded that relationship dynamics fluctuate. Sometimes we need more closeness. Sometimes we need more space. Experiment and discover what feels right for you in your relationship... it's an ever-evolving process.

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People and RelationshipsErin Masonrelationships, romance, love, codependence, interdependence, mutuality, identity, discovery, flexibility, harmony, healthy relationships, perseverance, resilience, independence, trust, integration