The dreaded silent treatment…

The silent treatment isn’t passive. It’s an active choice to withhold reassurance, repair and responsibility. Their silence forces you to sit alone with the tension while they avoid discomfort. 

Their ignorance isn’t bliss it’s avoidance. 

— Anonymous 

I used to go silent when I was younger. I realize I was just ill equipped to communicate through hurt feelings. I grew up in a family that couldn’t seem to resolve or overcome conflict. People yelled and threw things, and nothing changed. I became pretty fearful of anger and conflict. Fortunately, with deep healing work, I’ve learned how to communicate through discomfort and invite conversation that allows both people to be heard and to potentially make requests that help heal the tension. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Accountability an essential quality for healthy connection. Non negotiable…

You can’t build a healthy relationship with someone who lacks emotional intelligence. 

It’s not your responsibility to teach someone how to take accountability, apologize, or treat you with respect. These qualities are the foundation of a healthy connection-they’re not extras, and they’re certainly not negotiable. 

— @yourcourageouscomeback

Sadly, I’m still learning about these essential relationship deal breakers; accountability, the ability to apologize, and listen with care, rather than getting defensive and shutting productive, healing clearing down. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO 

Blessings,

Chatgirl  

Some people would rather sacrifice relationships than face themselves….

You cannot teach accountability to someone who’s built their identity around avoiding it. 

Growth requires discomfort, and some people would rather sacrifice relationships than face themselves. 

— @yourcourageouscomeback

I’ve finally learned that a healthy relationship takes two people willing to have adult conversations. If both people are able to speak about their experience, and listen fully to the other, odds are a request or two can prevent future misunderstandings. This has worked like a charm in my safe relationships. Not so much in the relationships that don’t allow for this sort of calm, respectful and heartfelt clearing. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

You can’t expect empathy from someone who hides from their own pain…

People can only meet you as deeply as they’ve met themselves. 

You can’t expect integrity from someone who cannot live within integrity. 

You can’t expect empathy from someone who is disconnected from their own pain.

You can’t expect honesty from someone who hides from their own reality. 

And the longer we stay, hoping someone will become who we need, the more we lose ourselves in the process.

— Unknown 

I can think of a few people (some, family members) I’ve struggled to connect with on a deeper level. My therapist says we each have our MO, and way of coping. Some people simply avoid going “inward” or going toward their emotional world. I’ve found this info helpful in accepting the limitations of certain relationships. Just sayin’ : ) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Unhealed people don’t hear clearly…

Unhealed people don’t listen for understanding, they listen for danger. 

They hear rejection inside boundaries.

They hear disrespect inside honesty.

Abandonment inside silence. 

You can speak with calmness, patience, and love — and they will still respond to wounds you never created.

Because you’re trying to communicate in the present… while their nervous system is fighting ghosts from the past. 

THAT’S WHY HEALING MATTERS.

Not just for peace within yourself.  

But so you stop bleeding on people who came to love you. 

— Anonymous 

This explanation is kind and helpful, and allows me to have greater compassion for the people I’ve struggled with. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

Having to break down basic awareness is draining…

I read something that stuck with me. It said, “It’s strange having to explain to someone why what they did was inconsiderate. If they didn’t feel it was wrong while doing it, what can you really say?” And that’s the truth. When empathy is naturally in you, you don’t need reminders. You move with care automatically. If it would bother you, you wouldn’t do it to someone you value. Having to break down basic awareness is draining, because genuine consideration dosen’t need to be taught; it shows up on its own. 

— Anonymous 

This makes so much sense to me. I’m finding that people who lack empathy, and an interest/ability in  accountability and the necessary clearing of conflict make relationships pretty tough. It’s a no thank you, frankly. Just sayin’ ;) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl 

A relationship without emotional safety is an attachment or trauma bond…

A relationship without emotional safety is not a relationship, it’s an attachment or a trauma bond. You deserve to express yourself freely, to voice your needs, to require resolution after conflict and to feel emotionally safe in your relationship.

— Anonymous

Well said. I really wish I’d learned this earlier. It would have saved me two divorces and some very stressful friendships. Just sayin’ :) Hugs and good luck. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl