"Outdated Jealousy
Advice You Should Ignore" by
Susie and Otto Collins
Jealousy
advice, especially on the internet is plentiful and it
can be pretty confusing to figure out what advice to believe
and what not to.
If you
are jealous or your partner is jealous--and you've talked
about it with your friends--you might be getting their advice
added to the mix.
This is
especially dangerous because, in almost every case, your friends-family
or co-workers don't have any experience or expertise in helping
someone overcome the pain and frustration of jealousy in a
relationship or marriage.
What we
found in working with thousands of people (and couples) in
our Relationship
Breakthrough Coaching practice is-- very often, well-meaning
advice from a friend, family member or someone who doesn't
specialize in jealousy issues can actually make matters worse.
This well-meaning
advice can cause you to become even more distant, upset or
suspicious with your partner and can even cause your relationship
permanent damage that can't be repaired.
So what
should you do?
What advice
should you listen to and...
What advice
should you ignore that could even make jealousy worse in your
relationship?
There
are many things we could say about this topic but...
If you
want to heal jealousy and start reconnecting and creating
more love and connection in your relationship and life...
Here are
4 pieces of advice that you should definitely ignore...
1. Make
your partner jealous to get him (or her) more interested in
you.
Wrong.
Talk about
creating a powder keg ready to blow up at any time!
We've
had people tell us over and over that this is their "big
strategy" for bringing their partner closer and all we
could do is shake our heads in amazement as they told us this
with a straight face.
That may
be their "big strategy" but the only problem is
that they don't seem to get what they want.
Here's
the bottom line on this one...
If you
flirt with someone else hoping to get more of your partner's
attention, it will probably backfire on you.
Here's
another bit of not only outdated advice--but also just plain
wrong advice...
2. It's
only the jealous person's problem.
If two
people are in a relationship and they interact with one another,
they are bound to be in what can be called a reaction loop.
They react
to one another in different ways, depending on past experiences,
mental chatter, beliefs, and so much more.
So jealousy
is just another way that people in a relationship react to
one another that usually causes big problems.
But to
say that it is one person's problem is to close your heart
and eyes to an opportunity to heal if you are with a person
who is jealous.
Next...
Some people
erroneously think (and in some cases actually believe)...
3. If
your partner is jealous, it means he (she) loves you.
No, it
doesn't. It just may mean that there's a pretty big self-esteem
issue going on or whatever triggers their jealous behavior.
We've
seen teens and young adults (some older people too) fall into
this trap.
A seductive
possessiveness that you interpret to be proof that he (she)
cares at the beginning of a relationship can quickly turn
into an abusive situation if both of you don't get some help.
If some
part of you gets an uneasy feeling that this reaction from
your partner is a little "off," pay attention because
it really might be a signal that you reconsider this relationship.
Finally...
Another
terrible piece of jealousy advice...
4. You
have to control jealous feelings.
Trying
to control jealous feelings is not only
hopeless but it usually doesn't turn out too
pretty when you do.
When you
hold back your feelings and push them down, it's like pushing
the lid down on
garbage in a stuffed, over-flowing garbage can. Pretty soon,
it erupts all over the place
if you hold it down tightly enough.
If you
hold your feelings in and pretend
everything's okay, without acknowledging
what you are feeling--we don't have to tell
you that you will erupt--sometimes over the
smallest, most insignificant thing.
And your relationship is worse off than before.
So don't
control your feelings but learn how
to feel them and let them out in healthy ways
which may mean talking about them -- but
maybe not.
If you
do talk about your feelings, jealousy
or any other relationship issue make sure you're not tip-toeing
or dancing around the issue or what needs to be said.
Quite
often, people hold back on saying
something they feel needs to be said out of fear.
If you
want to learn how to talk to your partner (or anyone) without
fear about what they'll say, do or how they'll react-- you
should read this now.
Here's
one more piece of advice about
overcoming jealousy...
Find out
what has worked for others and then feel into yourself if
this piece of advice resonates with you.
If jealousy
is a problem in your relationship,
we advise you to take action--but take action that will actually
move you toward the relationship you want and not away from
it.
*******************
Relationship coaches Susie and Otto Collins,
authors of "Should You Stay or Should You Go?" and "No More
Jealousy" are experts at helping people get more of the love
they really want. Learn the 5 keys to a closer, more loving
relationship, click below for your free 5-part mini-course:
http://www.Relationshipgold.com
************************
If you're interested we offer a free online course about how
to overcome jealousy. This FREE online course about overcoming
jealousy is based on our course called "No More Jealousy."
To get this free online course about "No More Jealousy" visit
http://www.NoMoreJealousy.com
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