Do you chronically apologize?

We chronically apologize for many reasons, but one main reason is that we don’t want to experience loss of relationship. And in the past, if we just apologized, things would get back to “normal” quicker.

Isn’t that crazy? Why would we want to have a relationship return back to an unhealthy normal? But it was/is more comfortable than experiencing loss.

When we apologize and we weren’t at fault, we have officially crossed a boundary. We are now taking on the feelings and emotions of others and that isn’t fair. It’s not fair to them or to us.

Learning to set expectations and manage them free from ego is another HUGE piece of the relationship puzzle.

If we are not diving in and digging deep at some point in our lives to figure out, “huh, why does this same pattern keep happening in my love life,” then what do we expect when this relationship goes the same way all of our other relationships have gone?

Jesus is the foundation. But he needs us to act. We are not perfect. Unfortunately we came from broken generations. And it’s our job to dig in and start learning healthy boundaries.

Cultivating meaningful and healthy relationships can all come down to communication.

When we assume that the other party (your husband, boss, siblings, parents, or friends) knows what we expect or need... we set ourselves up for major disappointment.

Expressing and managing expectations is crucial for healthy relationships.

Are you finally ready to take ownership over your contributions to failed relationships? Are you ready to put in the work to prepare for your future healthy relationships?

Deep friendships without gossip and backstabbing.

Love connections without manipulation and control issues.

Peaceful family dynamics.

They all start with us.

I have been the friend in a friendship where all we talk about is the other person. We talk about their life, their wants, their hurts, frustrations etc. I have also been the friend that only talks about my life, my wants, my hurts, frustrations etc.

I think we could all agree we have played both roles. But since really becoming very aware, intentionality with my friendships has been very important, and today I’m sharing some things you can do to be intentional as a friend.

If I could go back to younger, dating Lauren there are so many things I wish I could teach her about boundaries. Things that would have kept young Lauren from wasting time and would have protected her heart. Today I’m sharing three of those things. I hope this helps!

Expectations in marriage play such a major role in the flow of our everyday life. If there is a breakdown in communication resentment starts growing. And before we know it we are mad for really no apparent reason.

There is NO such thing as a perfect marriage. BUT... there are things that can always help improve the connection with our sweeties, starting with communicating expectations.

Love your partner well enough to come to the table with clear wants and needs and communicate those, as well as ask them what they are hoping to get accomplished. Ask them how you can help.

Boundaries are limits to what you will allow in your space. So how do we deal with things like manipulation, gossip, protecting our time, and more?

You don’t have to be rude or mean and build a wall around your heart to protect yourself... you can simply put limits on what you will allow in your life.

If you are blaming your feelings or hurts directly on the person in front of you, boundaries are officially crossed. You have GIVEN them power they should never have. Remember how we feel, what we think, how we respond, react, our words and our actions are OUR responsibility. So a much more productive approach is to own your feelings.

Something I believe hurts us and our families more than we realize is when we as dads and moms choose to go silent during and after disagreements. Yes, the silent treatment.

Today I’m sharing three things that happen over time when the silent treatment is given — and how we can be careful to not disappear on our families.