Authenticity Matters Maintaining Your Identity in a Relationship
fear of abandonment, you may be more likely to endure control. By identifying those emotions and being aware of them, you will be more equipped to move past them.
While there are many components to good relationships, healthy marriages primarily represent the joining of two individuals . And while two people create something wonderful by sharing their lives, neither should be asked to give up who they are. The idea of holding onto your identity is easier said than done, especially if you’re in a relationship with someone who has control issues. In those cases, the controlling partner may actually feel that they are happier when you give up parts of yourself for them. While people have the duty to not become too controlling of their partners, both partners share a responsibility. If you’re in a marriage with someone who is controlling, there are things you can — and should — do to maintain your sense of self. Journaling and Self-Reflection If you feel you are giving up more than you receive in a relationship, one of the most effective ways to address that disparity is to journal your feelings. Through journaling, you can identify emotions or triggers for your past behaviors. For example, if you have felt a
Follow Your Interests Are there any activities you enjoy but haven’t been able to indulge in lately? Have you always enjoyed exercise, is there a diet you once followed, or do you rarely get to enjoy time with friends? By reminding yourself of the parts of your life you have enjoyed in the past, you can prioritize those and make them part of your day-to-day routine. Be Open Once you have done the work to identify your needs, emotions, and the elements you’d like to make part of your life, you can talk with your partner. While you can’t control the other person’s reaction or level of support, you can control your ability to express them. This kind of straightforward dialogue can remind your partner of your needs and go a long way toward reasserting equality in your bond. While it can be tempting to give in to your partner’s wishes, respect in a relationship is a two-way street. By identifying key passions and attributes and talking openly with your partner, you can stay true to yourself in the marriage, as well.
df World’s Best Brownies
Ingredients
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2/3 cup butter
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking powder
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
BLF Attorneys Sarah, Megan, Samantha, Ashley & Christopher
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. 2. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then add melted chocolate mixture and blend well. 4. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. 5. Gradually add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring until blended, then stir in nuts if desired. 6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. 7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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