I know these might seem like strange words coming from a psychologist, but stop a moment and try this on: When you back someone you love into a corner by blaming him for feeling bad about yourself, and he tells you you’re nuts, it’s hurtful—to him and to you. But consider that you may be literally making yourself nuts by your thoughts and feelings telling you that you are not good enough and you need to change.
Those “I’m not okay the way I am” feelings are due to your girly thoughts—those thoughts that you need to alter how you act, how you look, or you’ll lose your man.
Making Ourselves Nuts . . .
By saying this, I’m not implying that all relationship challenges you are experiencing are your fault. No, I am definitely not saying that. What I am saying is that some of the negative ideas you may be struggling with are within your control. And I’m encouraging you to take control of your thinking.
. . . Don’t Blame Him
The problem is that you may not be identifying your girly thoughts for what they are: a function of our intense media holding up images of desirable women—many of them so digitally altered that they do not look like themselves—as the “ideal” to which we should all aspire. The result is that when we don’t measure up—as we cannot because these are no longer real people—we feel terrible about ourselves
But instead of seeing your girly thoughts as the reason you may be feeling insecure, you’re tempted to blame your feelings of inadequacy on your partner, creating conflict in a part of your life where you need support. For example, you decided to be a sexy watermelon for Halloween. You put on your costume, went to a party, and decided he thought you looked fat because he was hanging out with the good witch. Now, he didn’t say this. You assumed it, and that extra beer or two you had just made you angrier. The unfortunate result was confusing him and making him feel defensive because he doesn’t know where you are coming from.
Are we crazy?
Why do women do this? Because trying to keep up with what you feel you should do and should be is exhausting. He’s there. He becomes a logical target, because someone has to be responsible for how bad you feel about yourself.
Wrong. Consider the possibility that it isn’t him. Try on that it’s probably your girly thoughts.
Consequences of Your Girly Thoughts:You Push Him Away
As a result of being blamed, he:
So what to do?
Send me a post about how challenging your girly thoughts has changed your relationship with him.
Funny quote. Thanks for sharing. Marriage is a complicated relationship, so many levels of possible connection and disconnection. Happy Holidays….
Thanks.. If you love my blog you’ll love my book: The Resilient Woman, and it’s companion workbook due in 2014– Out Your Girly Thoughts and Embrace Your Strength. Also please feel free to share it and check out my website for recent media…. http://www.patriciaogorman.com... Happy Holidays…. Patricia