Welcome back to part two of our three-part series on moving from codependency to healthy interdependence in relationships. I’ve been there before - fluctuating widely in my relationships, bouncing from each extreme like a ping pong ball. From crazy codependency to fierce independence, where “I will depend on no one and no thing but myself!”
Sound familiar?
In this episode, we'll dive into how to become comfortable with the spectrum of interdependence.
Dependency is in our DNA. From the earliest times, we relied on our caregivers for our survival.
Even as toddlers, we craved a safe and nurturing environment that allowed us to explore while still knowing there were boundaries and support in place to keep us safe.
Our childhood experiences shape how we approach relationships later in life.
Were you given the freedom to grow, explore, and develop your own sense of self? Did you have the chance to be independent while still knowing there was a safety net to catch you if you fell? Or maybe you were controlled or neglected, which led to fear or an excessive need for independence?
Understanding these patterns helps us figure out where we stand on the whole dependence versus independence spectrum. Being codependent means relying solely on someone else as our source, while being fiercely independent means relying solely on ourselves. But you know what?
The sweet spot is interdependence.
It's this beautiful balance where we recognize that our ultimate source is a higher power, and we can depend on ourselves, our loved ones, and God all at once.
Interdependence allows us to celebrate our individuality and autonomy while cherishing and appreciating our differences. By nurturing our curiosity about ourselves and our partners, we deepen our connection and create a space for mutual support. We can rely on each other's strengths and gifts, which means we enter MULTIPLICATION TERRITORY.
In this episode, we’ll break down the 5 G’s of practicing interdependency:
Gain awareness (listening to this series is a great start!)
Get curious about each other
Give advice when asked, but listen if needed
Gravitate around joy - God’s, yours, your partner’s
Give radical grace - to yourself and your partner
We are greatly blessed when we come together in love, build each other up, keep peace in our home, and bring life into our children and our communities.
This podcast is just the beginning. To go deeper into this work and get step by step support:
To learn more about private or group coaching, apply here. https://linktr.ee/christinejewell
Connect with Christine!