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Cultivate & Motivate

Learnings, teachings and tips & tricks for anyone to reference during difficult times, stressful conversations and moments when you need a little love.

Steph Flood Steph Flood

💖 Cheers to Love: The Power of Gratitude in Your Marriage

Here's the deal: Practicing gratitude isn't just a feel-good exercise you do on Thanksgiving. Nope, it's a game-changer for your marriage every darn day. Why? Because it's like a magic potion that strengthens your bond, deepens your connection, and sprinkles glitter on those mundane moments.

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

The books I use & love in my Practice : 5 Must-Read Relationship Books!📚

Ready to shake things up a bit? These are the books that I use in my practice and love. Let's dive into some awesome relationship books that promise to add a spark to your love life. Whether you're navigating the wild ride of marriage or just want to understand the mysteries of desire, these books have got your back!

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

Navigating the Holidays: A Guide to Dealing with Grief

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, love, and togetherness. However, for those grappling with grief, this time of year can intensify feelings of loss and loneliness. Coping with the absence of a loved one during the holidays is undoubtedly challenging, but it's crucial to remember that you are not alone in your struggle. This blog post aims to offer support and practical tips for navigating grief during the holiday season.

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

✨'Tis the Season for Love: Festive Fun for Couples!✨

Season's greetings, lovebirds! As the holiday spirit fills the air, it's the perfect time to celebrate the joy of togetherness. Whether you're cozying up by the fire or venturing into the winter wonderland, here are some delightful ideas to make your holidays extra special:

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

The Enduring Value of Intimacy in a Relationship

In the bustling world we live in, where technology connects us at the touch of a button, it's easy to overlook the significance of true intimacy in our relationships. However, in the depth of human connection lies a transformative power that nurtures, strengthens, and enriches our lives

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

Am I a Codependent?

As an example, a parent may have a hard time setting healthy boundaries by telling their grown addict son or daughter their behavior is unwelcomed and they must move out. This is a bit of a lose/lose scenario because enabling this bad behavior stalls recovery and only perpetuates the problem. In addition, the codependent parent puts themselves in harm’s way, mentally, emotionally, and perhaps even physically.

Codependency often stems from an individual’s low self-esteem, excessive need to please, and an inability to set boundaries. Codependents feel responsible for others’ problems and will take them on, despite the personal toll it may cost them.

Where Does Codependency Come From?

Codependency is usually developed in childhood. If you grew up in an environment where your emotions were either ignored or punished, you most likely developed low self-esteem, believing your needs didn’t matter.

Many codependents had parents who, for some reason, were unable to fulfill their role as caretakers. This dysfunction is usually the result of addiction, depression, narcissism, or other issues. In this situation, the child is forced to take on responsibilities beyond their years, taking care of younger siblings and even their own parent(s).

When we’re young, codependent behaviors are a survival mechanism. But as we become adults, these same behaviors prevent us from experiencing healthy relationships.

Signs of Codependency

Codependent people will typically one or more telltale codependency signs:

The belief you must “save” or “rescue” others

Low self-esteem

A one-sided relationship where one person is responsible and the other is allowed to be chronically irresponsible.

Going without so that others can have what they need or want.

Walking on eggshells around others and keeping opinions to yourself so as not to upset the other person.

Martyrdom – taking care of everyone else and resentful when no one cares for you.

A need to control

A need to please

An inability to set boundaries

Staying in relationships that are harmful or abusive

A feeling of guilt when taking care of yourself

If you can relate to one or more of these signs, there is a good chance you may be suffering from codependency.

The good news is, by committing to your own personal development and well-being, and working with a therapist who specializes in codependency, you can have a profound recovery that ultimately leads to peace, fulfillment, and true connections with others.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/conquering-codependency/202011/10-signs-you-re-in-codependent-relationship

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/codependency

https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/codependency

https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/codependency/recovery

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Steph Flood Steph Flood

3 Ways to Improve to Communication in the Relationship

When you build a fire, whether to warm your home or to add a bit of ambience on a cold, winter’s night, you know you’ve got to tend to the fire to keep it going. Relationships are no different. They, too, begin with that initial spark, but you both have to tend to the relationship to keep the heat!

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