The Overwhelmed Brain

Emotional Intelligence for Better Relationships

When you don’t know who you are

Have you ever really learned who you are at a deeper level? Sometimes we walk around doing the things we’re supposed to do, but rarely stop to figure out who is doing those things.

In this episode, I read an email from a woman who never got a chance to learn who she is because of narcissistic parents telling her who she is all her life. Now that she’s a wife and mom, she feels lost.

If you’re lost, it’s time to find yourself. 

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Walking around as an adult with dysfunctions from childhood

Dysfunctional behaviors often come from trauma, neglect, or abuse, but some can come from seemingly benign areas of life as well.

We don’t know the full impact our childhood had on us until we’re older trying to relate to other people outside of our family.

In this episode, I talk about one person’s experiences from childhood and how she recognized a lot of her dysfunctions, and how she is finding a way out of them.

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Email grab bag: Getting ghosted while dating and when you have trouble forgiving someone who wronged you

The first segment is about a young woman who keeps getting “ghosted” by her dates. It’s starting to impact her self-esteem and she’s wondering if she’ll ever find a life partner.

In the second segment, I reply to someone who wants to hate those who’ve wronged her, but her spirituality says it’s better to forgive.

Is it?

Sounds like a great subject to talk about. [Read more…]

Learning that your adult child suffered child sexual abuse

What is the right thing to do or say when your adult child tells you about their sexual abuse?

In this episode, I read an email from a mom who recently learned that her adult daughter was abused by another child when she was young. I bring my girlfriend Asha, an advocate for the prevention and healing of child sexual abuse, into the conversation for an honest, heartfelt discussion & guidance for the mom.

helpforsurvivors.org
Articles and resources for child sexual abuse survivors

thefionaproject.org
A music and arts movement for child sexual abuse prevention and healing

Dealing with mean family

There is a way to deal with mean family members. It may involve treating them like other people instead of family, which can help you disconnect from wanting to impress them or be loved by them.

This episode helps to prepare you to deal with the not-so-friendly relatives you may have no choice but do deal with.

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Dealing with selfish people that don’t care if they hurt you

When you are interacting with people that only want what they want, regardless of how it affects you, you’re in for a very dysfunctional, and possibly emotionally harmful situation.

It’s important to know your line and know when people cross it, then honor that line so that you don’t lose a bit of yourself.

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