In today’s episode, we’re diving into the second part of our series on “Losing Strategies” in relationships. We explore how certain behaviors undermine connection, create emotional distance, and hinder growth, drawing insights from renowned therapists Terry Real and Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife.

We begin with a quick recap of the first episode and then introduce five additional “losing strategies” that can be detrimental to relationships:

1. Playing the Victim – Recognizing the disempowerment in victimhood and how it can impact both personal and relational growth.
2. Defensiveness – How defending ourselves undermines trust and prevents honest communication.
3. Blaming – Shifting responsibility onto others as a way of avoiding self-reflection, creating a hostile environment.
4. Scorekeeping – Keeping track of every wrong and using it as ammunition during conflicts, which prevents forgiveness and encourages resentment.
5. Emotional Blackmail and Stonewalling – Emotional manipulation and shutting down emotionally to avoid discomfort, which erodes safety, trust, and connection.

We also offer practical strategies to counter these behaviors, such as practicing gratitude, setting personal boundaries, and recognizing self-authorship. We remind listeners that these strategies are meant for self-reflection, not to be used as a tool for changing others.

Finally, we discuss the importance of winning strategies that foster intimacy and growth, including empathy, active listening, and healthy conflict resolution. We’ll explore these more in an upcoming episode.

Resources Mentioned:
- *I Don’t Want to Talk About It* by Terry Real
- *Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship* by Terry Real
- Insight into “self-authorship” from Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife

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