Our close relationships have a powerful way of influencing our behavior.
Our main goal becomes about not upsetting the other person.
We don’t want to rock the boat for fear of the nasty repercussions.
Maybe your partner has angry outbursts often or your boss belittles you every chance they get.
The term walking on eggshells is self-explanatory.
These are some of the very emotions someone who walks on eggshells in real life would experience.
Here are some ways to stop doing what you’re doing.
As a child, the only way you could’ve navigated this was by being hypervigilant or hypersensitive.
Another coping mechanism would’ve been walking on eggshells, according to Taibbi.
If you’re unable to answer the question, ask for the opinion of trusted friends or family.
Sometimes, it helps to get an objective outside perspective.
If you don’t speak up, they won’t know.
Tell them that you don’t feel heard or seen or that their emotional outbursts frighten you.
In the latter circumstance, you might want to get professional help or even leave the situation.
Emotional abuse is seriously damaging.
They are what keep a couple from disrespecting one another.
They also preserve individual identity and freedom of expression.
A lack of boundaries leaves room for insecurity, fear, and unhappiness.
Take control of your own emotions, validate them, and hold space for them.
There is no need to blame yourself for their inconsistent reactions.
Sometimes, doing this by yourself might prove difficult, especially in the beginning.
Ask a trusted friend for help.
Let your partner, friend, or even boss know that you won’t tolerate certain kinds of behavior.
They’re going to have to stop treating you carelessly and become accountable for their own reactions.
Mutually working together can build a sense of closeness in the relationship too.
Perhaps your partner has certain triggers that set off their negative behavior.
Be willing to sit with them and explore possible reasons.
Are they stressed at work?
Do they have too much on their plate?
Do they need more downtime?
This is not going to be a healthy end result for either of you.
The goal is to stop the habit of walking on eggshells.
One day I decided I’d had enough and stomped all over them.
