Life Coaching & Relationship Advice: Needs vs. Desires

Laurie Ellington, Relationship Coach & Life Coach, Offers Coaching Tips to Help People Empower Their Life and Their Relationships
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In romantic relationships, we often confuse desires for needs. We trick ourselves in believing we need someone to act a certain way in order for us to feel a certain way:
“I need you to [edit yourself] so that I don’t have to feel [any unpleasant feelings].”
Of course, this isn’t exactly what people say, but it’s usually what’s hidden underneath the words. We spend so much time trying to control others in order to maintain a sense of emotional balance within ourselves. This strategy may work as a short-term fix but in the long term, it creates pain, suffering, disconnection, loss of intimacy, and despair in relationships.
At their core, a need is something that must be met for our survival and a desire is something we want for ourselves.
If we looked at needs and desires through the lens of a relationship, we might say something like this:
“A need is something that must be met for the survival of the relationship and a desire is something we want for the individuals within the relationship.”
When cultivating healthy romantic relationships, we need to be really clear with the difference between what we need and what we desire to be happy. This will look different for each individual and each relationship. The key to finding what’s true for you and your partner is to sit down and share what’s important to you as individuals and as a couple in the relationship. Write a list. Go over this list and prioritize. Consider what is a true need and what is a desire. The more clear you get with yourself and your partner, the more clarity you will have in your relationship.
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For more information about relationship coaching and life coaching services, and to schedule a Free Exploratory Session, contact Laurie Ellington, Relationship Coach & Life Coach today!
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Laurie Ellington
Latest posts by Laurie Ellington (see all)
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- Life Coaching & Relationship Advice:Needs vs. Desires - May 10, 2017
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