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Showing posts from September, 2025

5 Essential Skills That Make Relationships Last (And How to Practice Them)

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Over the past four years of coaching couples, one thing has become very clear: strong communities start at home. And the foundation of any lasting relationship isn’t complicated—it’s built on simple, human skills that we often forget in our busy lives. Relationships thrive when we unlearn old habits, relearn essential skills, and practice them daily. Here are five skills that can transform your relationship, backed by psychology and practical ways to apply them. 1. Communication: Words Are Only the Beginning We all know communication is important, but it’s more than just talking. It’s about  tone, presence, and body language . Why it matters: When communication lacks clarity or is delivered harshly, our brains fill in the gaps—often assuming negative intent. Over time, these assumptions create resentment and guilt. Studies show that the way we speak—tone, gestures, and eye contact—affects how our partner perceives our message, even more than the words themselves. How to practice it...

Breaking Free from Perfectionism: You Don’t Have to Lose Yourself

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Every story reflects who we are, but unless it is shared, no one would ever know the silent battles behind it. Maybe you have lived with a story that was never fully yours—the story that you don’t deserve success. Perhaps you were made to feel that no matter how much you achieved, it was never enough. Every effort had a flaw, every action was questioned, and somehow, perfection was always demanded. Behind the smile was once a woman who tried to be a perfectionist—pushing herself to meet expectations that were never truly hers. Maybe you recognize that same story in yourself. In trying to please others, it is easy to lose yourself. Your worth becomes tied to external approval, and your identity blurs under the weight of expectations. What you may not realize is that this is not just a habit—it is a learned and programmed behavior. The Psychology Behind Perfectionism Perfectionism often develops when recognition, love, or validation is made to feel conditional. You start to believe y...