Welcome back to the third and final part of a “series” that’s become a whole love letter to personal growth, grief, and what happens when those two things crash up against the realities of our relationships. If you missed episodes 687 (The Perpetual Pregnancy of Grief) and 689 (The Grief That Comes After the Relationship Ends), consider this the closing chapter of a conversation on becoming more yourself, and what that means for the people who’ve been walking alongside you… your partner(s), friends, and family. 

This episode is about that challenging, complicated (and often painful) space where your healing starts to create tension in a relationship. Maybe you’re in a season of deep inner work, therapy, journaling, finally setting boundaries… and suddenly, something in your partnership (or friendship or family dynamic) starts to feel off. This isn’t just about romantic relationships—though that’s often where it hits hardest. It’s about what happens when one person evolves faster, deeper, or differently than the other. And what we do with the grief, the self-doubt, and the desire to stay connected without losing ourselves.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

The three outcomes that tend to happen when one person outgrows the relationship’s current dynamic

How shrinking to keep the peace becomes a subtle form of self-abandonment

What it looks like to “go back to old behaviors” to avoid rocking the boat

Why love doesn’t have to be perfectly paced to still evolve together

What happens when you give someone the dignity of their own process—even if it means walking away

The real reason why some grief only shows up after you feel safe enough to grow

Why your healing is not the villain (even if it feels like it’s causing a rupture)

Reflection questions for your own growth 

If you’re in a season of stretching, expanding, or navigating complex emotions in your relationships, I’ve got something coming up just for you. This new, deeper program is designed to help you build shame resilience, reconnect to self-trust, and stop abandoning yourself for others’ comfort. It’s still brewing—but if you’re curious, DM me on Instagram @heyandreaowen or email us at [email protected]. I’ll personally reach out with more details to see if it’s for you. 

Resources from this episode:

Episode 687: Carrying Grief: A Perpetual Pregnancy of the Soul

Episode 689: The Love That Let Me Feel Again

Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  

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