Growing Together, Growing Apart

… which do you prefer?

It’s human nature to continue to grow throughout your lifetime.

And when we are in a relationship with someone, we have a choice, we can either grow with them or we can grow apart from them, but we will continue to grow regardless. It is the way the universe works.

The question remains, how do you want to grow in your relationship?

The hope is that the relationship you choose supports your growth and the direction you want to move into in your life. But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes we choose partners for other reasons only to find out after a period of time that we no longer have anything in common and our desires/passions have waned.

That doesn’t mean that someone has to be exactly like you but it does mean that they have to be able to push you/challenge you in new ways to grow and expand your mind. Mutual respect and admiration will keep the two of you learning about each other and interested in each other’s journey. If you are on different paths and you are NOT interested in each other’s journey, nor is there any shared journey, it will NEVER last. Clearly you are growing apart.

Having said that, growing together isn’t necessarily easy. Don’t look for the easy way out. Easy is just that, EASY. It doesn’t mean better. And easy will more often than not turn into boring very quickly.

A better relationship is generally a bit more challenging. A better relationship should inspire you but at the same time should challenge you to pick it up a bit. It keeps you on your toes and keeps you growing and evolving. This dynamism will never tire and never get boring.

In any relationship it is important to know who you are. Know what’s important to you and pick relationships that can support and nurture you on that journey.

Don’t kid yourself – you will grow regardless so it’s best to be conscious of the tide you are riding before you find yourself in a place you didn’t mean to get to. Do you want to grow together or grow apart? The choice is always yours. Choose wisely.

Read more inspiration in Donnalynn’s new Book, “Life Lessons,” click here.

If you would like more information on Emotional Wellbeing and Life Coaching Sessions with Donnalynn, click here.

If you would like to read some reviews on Donnalynn’s Coaching, click here.

If you would like to schedule a session with Donnalynn, click here. 

 

 

 

 

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Giving and Receiving

… must be in equal measure.

ALWAYS.

The name of the game is “boundaries.” Giving is a beautiful thing but if you GIVE TOO MUCH, there will always be an expectation for that level of giving. And if you are giving too much without giving to yourself, you will be depleting your own resources. So who wins here? Is it the one who plays the martyr and gives everything away and loses themselves in the process? No. In fact no one wins.

Any relationship is about balance – that goes for love relationships, parent-child relationships, working relationships, etc. Giving and receiving must be in equal measure. If you are giving to yourself while receiving from others, you are in beautiful place to give to others. But as soon as the balance of power shifts and everything is given to the other, then you are left with nothing and feel consequently exhausted, depleted, depressed, resentful and angry. But who set it up that way? No one took anything from you that wasn’t on offer. 

If you are unhappy with what you are receiving from others, STOP GIVING. Define your boundaries and express yourself. People respect people who respect themselves. People walk on doormats because they are put out for just that purpose. If you need more from someone, giving more to them will NOT get you there. Time to pull it back and put that energy into yourself. When you give to you, you have more to give to others. And when you give to you, others will recognize and respect that they need to give to you in order to continue to receive what they need from you. This is the essence of a healthy, balanced relationship.

No sense in being angry with your situation. You are where you are because you’ve allowed it. Giving and receiving must be in equal measure, if it’s not, it’s time to make another decision.

Read more inspiration in Donnalynn’s new Book, “Life Lessons,” click here.

If you would like more information on Emotional Wellbeing and Life Coaching Sessions with Donnalynn, click here.

If you would like to read some reviews on Donnalynn’s Coaching, click here.

If you would like to schedule a session with Donnalynn, click here. 

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