Why Accepting Influence Is So Important

Healthy relationships aren’t built on one partner leading and the other following. They thrive when partners are equals, each with valuable thoughts, feelings, and needs. Gottman research has shown that relationships flourish when partners accept influence from one another, meaning they are open to their partner’s opinions and perspectives. What Accepting Influence Really Means At […]

How to Change Your Bad Habits by Accepting Them

“If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~Mary Engelbreit “So, what do you think?” my husband asked, the dinner table lit by the soft glow of the overhead light. He’d been talking for a while, and I knew I should have been listening. […]

The Benefits of Accepting Your Unwanted Emotions

Since it is difficult to accept unwanted emotions, it helps to understand the benefits of doing so. We need a helpful carrot, a reason for the pain. Being open to feeling emotional pain without purpose can feel reckless, masochistic, and devoid of Self-compassion. The first step in accepting our emotions is understanding that they serve […]