Relationships Archives - Blossom Counseling

When a Delayed Response Makes You Question Your Worth: What’s Really Going On?

You send a text. You wait. You check your phone again a few minutes later. Still nothing. Hours pass, maybe even a day. Suddenly, your mind is no longer just waiting. It is spiraling. “Did I say something wrong?” “Are they mad at me?” “Am I too much?” “Maybe they don’t really care.” Sound familiar? […]

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Communication, Relationships

Feeling Like You Don’t Belong? It Might Be Attachment Trauma in Disguise

There’s a particular kind of ache that comes from feeling like you’re on the outside looking in. Maybe you’ve never quite felt like part of the group—even when surrounded by friends. Maybe you walk into a room and immediately wonder if everyone secretly wishes you weren’t there. Maybe you grew up in a family where

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Attachment, Relationships, Trauma

Supporting vs. Enabling: How to Tell the Difference (And Why It Matters)

It’s one of the trickiest dynamics in relationships—knowing when you’re being supportive, and when you might actually be enabling. The two can look nearly identical on the surface. You care about someone. You want to help. You’re trying to be there for them. But somewhere along the line, your good intentions might be keeping them

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Boundaries, Family, Friends, How To, Relationships

What Spoon Theory Really Means and Why It Matters for Your Mental Health

If you have ever heard someone say, “I am out of spoons today,” and felt confused, you are not alone. It has nothing to do with chores or dishes. It is a way many people describe something that is hard to put into words: limited energy. Spoon Theory is a concept that comes from disability

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Acceptance, Anxiety, Boundaries, Challenges, College/Students, Compassion, Coping Skills, Couples, Family, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships, Stress

6 Texts Narcissists Send to Keep You Hooked (And Why They Work)

It often starts with a message that feels harmless. Maybe even sweet. You are finally thinking about pulling back, setting boundaries, or walking away when your phone lights up with a text that makes you pause. Suddenly you are questioning yourself all over again. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Narcissistic communication is

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Attachment, Relationships

Why “Letting Them” Might Be Your Best Mental Health Move Yet

If you’ve ever found yourself constantly stepping in to fix, manage, or smooth things over for everyone else, you’re in good company. It’s a habit that sneaks in quietly and stays for the long haul. And while it often comes from a caring place, it can leave you feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. What if

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Acceptance, Challenges, Family, Mental Health, Relationships

What to Do When You Feel Abandoned: A Therapist’s Guide to Navigating Emotional Disconnection

Feeling abandoned isn’t just about someone walking away. It’s that deep, gut-twisting ache that makes you question if you’re enough, if people care, or if you can really trust anyone to stay. It might come from a breakup, a friendship that faded, or growing up with a parent who was there but never really there.

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Attachment, Connection, Emotions, Guides, Relationships, Therapists

What We Need to Normalize Asking Our Partners (Yes, Even the Awkward Stuff)

No one’s a mind reader. Healthy relationships aren’t about guessing what someone else needs or hoping they’ll magically know what you need. They’re about real, open conversations. And yeah, sometimes that means asking questions that feel awkward, scary, or a little too honest. But here’s the truth: the more we practice asking intentional, caring questions,

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Communication, Connection, Relationships

Joyful Reciprocity: The Mental Health Magic of Giving and Receiving with Intention

There is something very comforting about the moment someone does something kind for you and you naturally want to respond with care. Not to pay them back or even things out, but simply because it feels good to give from a genuine place. That feeling is joyful reciprocity. It is not just politeness and it

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Celebrate, Friends, Mental Health, Relationships

Why Setting Boundaries Feels So Hard (And How to Make It Easier)

Setting boundaries sounds so simple in theory. Just say “no,” speak up for yourself, and the stress magically disappears. But if you have ever tried to set a boundary and walked away feeling guilty or anxious, you know it rarely feels that easy. So why is it so hard, especially when a part of you

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Boundaries, Communication, How To, Relationships

The Real Difference Between Requests and Boundaries in Relationships

“Can you not do that?” “I need you to stop.” “That makes me uncomfortable.” These all sound like boundaries, but they are not always actual boundaries. In therapy and in everyday life, we talk about boundaries a lot. One of the biggest points of confusion is the difference between a request and a boundary. Both

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Boundaries, Couples, Family, Friends, Relationships

7 Signs Someone Lacks Self-Awareness (And Why It Matters for Mental Health)

Self-awareness is one of those qualities that everyone assumes they have—until reality proves otherwise. It’s the ability to recognize your emotions, understand how your actions affect others, and adjust your behavior accordingly. But for some people, self-awareness is more of a blind spot than a skill. A lack of self-awareness can show up in small,

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Challenges, Communication, Relationships

7 Things Secure People Do Differently in Relationships (and Why It Matters)

Have you ever met someone who just gets relationships? They don’t overthink every text message, they don’t panic when their partner needs space, and they don’t seem to get caught in the same emotional loops that others do. These people aren’t perfect, but they do have one thing in common: secure attachment.Securely attached people experience

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Couples, Relationships

Why Offering Reassurance Feels Impossible for Avoidant Attachment Styles

We all crave a little reassurance now and then. A quick “I love you,” a text that says, “Thinking about you,” or even a simple nod when we’re venting about our day—these tiny moments can be grounding and affirming. But if you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who leans avoidant, you might have

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Attachment, Emotions, Family, Relationships

Fighting Dirty in Relationships: What It Is and Why It Matters

Conflict is a natural part of any relationship. In fact, disagreements can strengthen connections when handled with respect and understanding. But sometimes, fights escalate into something far less productive—what’s often referred to as “fighting dirty.” Recognizing the signs of dirty fighting is crucial for maintaining a healthy, loving relationship and avoiding long-term emotional damage. What

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Communication, Family, Relationships