Self-empowerment & Romantic Relationships
If you’re like most men and women, you may sometimes have difficulty standing up for your needs in a romantic relationship. Often socialized to prioritize others before themselves, women are especially vulnerable to this behavior. Learning to assert oneself and speak up for your needs, rights and boundaries in a romantic relationship, as in Life, is what self-empowerment is all about. Discerning what your rights are may be challenging, especially if you lacked healthy relationship models growing up. Below is a list of ‘Partner Rights’ contributed by the Faculty at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health.
- I have a right to be treated fairly and respectfully by my partner. I will not tolerate being raged at, intimidated, bullied, coerced, belittled, hit or manipulated. Any of the aforementioned behaviors are a violation of my boundaries and reason to end the relationship.
- I have a right to honesty from my partner. While all of us tell little white lies occasionally, being lied to repeatedly erodes trust, which is essential to solid romantic relationships.
- I have a right to always say what I need, want or desire and to have my partner respectfully listen and consider how best to support me. In healthy relationships both partners want the other to be happy and fulfilled, so the supportive attitude and actions come naturally.
Healthy, mutual, romantic relationships boost your immune system, health and well-being.
- I have a right to take time for myself and/or to pursue personal interests, activities with friends and family outside of my romantic relationship. Guilt trips, manipulation or unkind comments will be considered violations of my personal boundaries.
- I have a right to expect reciprocity from my partner. It is not okay for my partner to expect my comfort, affection, support, and validation without being willing to offer the same in turn. The healthiest relationships enjoy a balance in the give and take, so each partner feels valued and significant.
- I have a right to express my feelings and emotions to my partner. I also have the right to be listened to with compassion, empathy and understanding. If I find that my partner lacks empathy and/or compassion, I have a right to end the relationship and walk away.
Harboring anger, resentment, guilt, shame, judgement and hurt, as often happens in dysfunctional relationships, can leads to chronic stress a huge risk-factor for illness.
- I have a right to be involved in any decisions that involve me. Decisions about life-style changes should be discussed, allowing both partners to share their perspectives and concerns. Healthy relationships seek win/win scenarios, so both partners are satisfied with the outcome.
How many additional rights can you think of?
With classrooms in Kearny Mesa, Escondido, and Laguna Hills Healing Hands School of Holistic Health offers two Certification Programs and over 80 Massage and Holistic Health courses. To learn more, go online to www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call us at (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills, (760) 746-9364 in Escondido, or (858) 505-1100 in Kearny Mesa.
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