In many intimate relationships, especially with friends and partners, we get used to them doing certain things and playing certain roles in our lives. When those people decide they need to stop doing those things or playing those roles, it …
Why Saying Sorry is Important
Today is Australia Day, it is a national holiday in Australia marking the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet and Arthur Phillip. For the First Nations people of Australia, this is a day of mourning. It is …
Reasons You Might Be Struggling to Set Boundaries with Family
Boundaries are an act of self-love and are part of healthy self-care. As we grow older, it is natural that we need different boundaries with our family to those that were suitable as a child. This means that even in …
Skilful and Unskilful Boundary Setting
A great formula to remember when setting boundaries is: “I feel _____________ when ______________, and I need ______________________”. Think about the difference between: “You are late again, you don’t care about me, it is so disrespectful” and “I feel disrespected …
Helpful Self-Talk When Getting Pushback Around Boundaries
Boundaries are a form of self-care and self-love. Once you have set a boundary, the struggle can be maintaining it. Maintaining a boundary takes strength and self-trust. I find if I am not sure about the boundary I have set, …
Affirmations to Help you Set and Maintain Boundaries
Boundaries are part of self-care. They are an expression of love and protection from ourselves, to ourselves. I find that the boundaries I struggle to maintain are the ones that for different reasons, other people don’t like. I find the …
Boundaries with Family Can Sound Like
Your boundaries are for YOU, they are not to change the other person. They are to keep you and your energy safe. Boundaries are healthy. Without boundaries our energy gets drained, we become resentful and angry and we are susceptible …
Disussing Family Issues
Not all families are ready for family meetings. Family meetings work when a family is ready to problem solve together. If this is not the case, then family therapy is the best place to start to lead into more self-directed …
The Potential Benefits of Discussing Family Issues Are
“In your dreams!” I hear many of you thinking as you read this tile, and for many of you that is true. Having family discussions about important issues can be a disaster for everyone involved depending on the emotional maturity …
Things That Might Prevent A Family from Discussing Issues Are
At the first sign of disagreement, uncomfortable issues or emotions, does your family ‘shut down’? Shutting down is often done to protect the individuals and the family system and is often done because the members simply don’t have the skills …