6 Reason NOT to “work on the marriage”
By Dr. Huizenga – The Infidelity Coach
Remember, in my last two Newsletters I talked about how “polarized couples” (one wants to ‘talk it through’ and the other hopes it ‘goes away’) find their marriage grinding to a halt when they believe they must “work on the relationship?’ If you need a refresher, go back two issues and the last issue.
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www.break-free-from-the-affair.com
Here are some difficulties typically experienced when a couple commits to “working on the relationship:”
1. “Working on the relationship” often implies that each “should or must” act, feel and think particular ways to make their efforts successful.
A “should” sets one up for failure and disappointment, for no one ever fully acts, thinks for feels as they “should.” An atmosphere of effort and grinding it out permeates the couple. And, each holds his/her breath, as they both believe that failure follows the next interaction.
Talk about pressure! I assume you want a different environment created in your relationship.
2. “Working on the relationship” for a huge percentage of the couples I encounter means being “nice,” accommodating the other and being on your best behavior.
Conflict is seen as a catastrophe. Such a strategy, in essence, obscures and clouds the truth. The truth, which sets a couple free, is relegated to the background and buried under the surface.
3. “Working on the Relationship” often means trying to find a “middle ground.”
There must be “something in common” that holds the couple together and make it better.
Well, maybe there isn’t any “common ground!” And, just maybe that is good.
Perhaps the differences, the extremes, give the couple fire and passion and create, together, that which each, at one level, is looking for.
4. “Working on the relationship” often means working hard to meet the needs of the other.
I “sacrifice” my needs, or at least put them on the back burner, and intentionally go about “making my partner happy” by attending to his/her needs.
This may work for a period of time but resentment at some point emerges since one or both believe that the need meeting is not being reciprocated to the degree he/she would like.
5. “Working on the relationship” often is thwarted because there is not enough depth.
Individual differences are not pursued with a curiosity and intensity that allows for maximum growth of the individual and therefore couple. “Issues” are not torn apart, looked at, marveled at, appreciated and seen as a resource for further self exploration and self disclosure.
6. “Working on the relationship” often comes up short because a couple easily reverts to old patterns. They begin to “swirl” in the old communication patterns and ways of thinking, feeling and acting.
When lacking adequate exploration of differences and avoiding conflict the couple easily slides back into that which was familiar, not pleasant or comfortable, but certainly known territory.
I’m assuming you don’t merely want to “work on” the relationship, but you want a total overhaul.
After all, the infidelity crisis does provide a great opportunity to recreate and redesign the relationship, now that you are wiser. I sometimes use the phrase, “Gold is refined through intense heat.”
As I mentioned in the last issue, I’m working on material that helps a marriage move to another level of intimacy, depth and power without the drudgery of “working on it.”
It soon will be here, in E-book format. It will be called: “Infidelity Recovery – Marriage Makeover.”
I will be sending out special mailings. I’m offering “Marriage Makeover” FREE to our coaching clients and giving a huge discount to those of you who have purchased “Break Free From the Affair.”
Stay tuned. Keep your eyes peeled on your e-mail box. It’s coming…….
Focus on Self-Care so You can More Powerfully “Charge Neutral.”
I’m big on self-care.
An extramarital affair demands tremendous energy and often throws your life off a healthy track – which further perpetuates your inability to respond in a healthy way to the crisis.
Don’t forget your body while you wrestle with infidelity. Use exercise and good nutrition to give you more confidence and control.
I’ve had a long online relationship with Chad Tackett who offers great online help for self care.
Chad wrote me and said he is offering an E-book, “Ultimate Fitness Secrets Revealed,” written by his Motivation Expert and Success Coach, Dr. Frank Smoot. It’s very well-written and he sells it normally for $27.97, but he just signed an agreement whereby we can offer it on Break Free From the Affair, absolutely free of charge!
Get your E-book and get on the healthy track!
Accelerate your Healing and Marriage Saving
If you want to move more quickly through your pain and mend your self and your marriage, sign up for one of our coaching packages.
Unhook yourself from the blind spots and move ahead not around in circles. Jen and I will support you, encourage you, love you and help plan a way to break free.
You might want to hurry, because when the new E-book, “Infidelity Recovery – Marriage Makeover” comes out, the coaching prices will go up.
Telecoaching: Coaching takes place over the telephone. Some call it telecoaching. We schedule a half hour phone consultation per week
over the phone. (Sometimes more, depending on your needs.)
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