mammax3 Posted April 11, 2010 Posted April 11, 2010 I'm curious about the concept of co-dependency - my definition is two people relying on each other to feed their needs rather than meeting them their own selves (whether that need is an addiction, covering for an addiction, a sense of worth, drama etc). I strongly suspect that relationships depicted in the media and in music are based on co-dependent relationship patterns, and are often highlighted as being in the 'honeymoon' period of a relationship. If this is true, and a healthy relationship has two individuals meeting their own needs, but no one knows what this looks like, then co-dependency is perpetuated. The problem with this relationship patterning is that two people become so enmeshed in the other individual that it isn't healthy and the individuals can't grow due to the requirement of meeting another person's need rather than their own. At some point one of the partners will meet someone who does allow for some growth (or is at least different) before the cycle begins again. My question is what does a healthy, non-co-dependent relationship look like? How can affection be shown without becoming enmeshed? I identify very strongly with the co-dependent (can't live without you, i'll call you every 10 mins, we'll see each other every day) mentality as an expression of love/care/desire and if I'm trying to move away from that, how do I either convey my affection, or hear affection from the other person? Thanks.
Recommended Posts