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    (Matt Monday): How to Stop Addictive Thoughts About Someone Bad for You

    enOctober 23, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Accepting Reality: Letting Go of Unrequited FeelingsIt's crucial to accept when someone isn't interested and move on to build healthy relationships based on mutual interest and respect.

      It's important to recognize and accept when someone is not right for us, even if we have strong emotional attachments or addictive thoughts. These thoughts may stem from a fantasy or an unmet emotional need, but they don't reflect reality. Once someone has made it clear they're not interested, it's essential to respect their decision and move on. Continuing to pursue someone who isn't reciprocating our feelings can be a sign of a lack of self-acceptance and an inability to recognize what we truly need in a relationship. The key is to focus on building healthy, meaningful connections based on mutual interest and respect, rather than getting caught up in addictive thoughts or unrequited feelings.

    • Charm should not be the sole basis for a relationshipLook beyond initial attraction and focus on deeper qualities like mutual respect, understanding, and compatibility for a fulfilling relationship.

      While initial attraction and charm can be compelling, it's important not to overvalue these traits in a potential partner. The speaker shares their personal experience of being attracted to individuals who, despite their charm, couldn't offer a fulfilling relationship. They emphasize that it's crucial to recognize when someone's charming facade masks underlying issues. The speaker grew tired of this pattern and learned to prioritize authentic connections and compatibility over initial attraction. In essence, while charm and attraction can be alluring, they should not be the sole basis for pursuing a relationship. Instead, it's essential to look for deeper qualities like mutual respect, understanding, and compatibility.

    • Initial impressions aren't everythingDon't base judgments solely on initial charm or connection. Allow people to reveal themselves over time and consider the long-term reality of a situation.

      Initial charm or connection should not be the sole basis for evaluating someone's value or potential in a relationship. It's important to allow people to reveal themselves over time and to recognize that experiences, even those with challenging individuals, can still hold value. We often get caught up in addictive thoughts based on narrow perceptions, but it's essential to consider the long-term reality of a situation. As the speaker mentioned, sometimes people may not be a good fit, and it's crucial to recognize when to move on. Ultimately, the relationship itself should prove the depth of the connection, not our initial impressions.

    • Fantasies vs. Reality in RelationshipsFocus on the reality of the relationship and evaluate the quality of actions, not just individual thoughts or desires, for healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

      Our perceptions and expectations in relationships can often be based on fantasies rather than reality. We may imagine that others feel the same way about us as we do about them, or that certain actions hold deeper meaning than they actually do. However, it's essential to remember that relationships are built on mutual decisions and actions, not just individual thoughts or desires. For instance, some people enjoy matchmaking others, but it's not a unilateral decision. Both parties need to be involved. Likewise, we can't assume that others' actions or messages reflect their true feelings towards us. Sometimes, a simple "miss you" text may not hold the significance we attach to it in our minds. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on the reality of the relationship and how it makes us feel. We should evaluate the quality time spent with our partners and consider the average of their actions rather than getting lost in our fantasies. By doing so, we can build healthier and more fulfilling relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.

    • Understanding Attachment StylesRecognize your attachment style, but don't limit yourself to seeking a partner with the same one. Look for someone who fulfills your core emotional needs, and work on yourself to avoid unhealthy dynamics.

      When it comes to relationships, it's essential to understand our attachment styles and the needs they represent, while recognizing that we are responsible for our own emotional well-being. The book "Attached" identifies three attachment styles: anxious, avoidant, and secure. While it suggests that we should seek partners who align with our attachment style, the speaker argues that we are complex individuals and that core needs can vary. We should look for someone who leans towards the kind of affection, attention, closeness, and connection that we value. However, it's crucial not to burden others with our attachment style, as this can lead to unhealthy and codependent dynamics. Comparing this to addictive thoughts about someone who's not right for us, the speaker emphasizes that such thoughts are harmful and unproductive, just like an addiction to a substance. Ultimately, we must work on ourselves while seeking a partner who complements our emotional needs.

    • Our brains can develop addictive patterns towards people and activitiesRecognize the addictive patterns towards unhealthy relationships or activities and make conscious choices to avoid them.

      Our brains can develop addictive patterns towards people and activities, just like with substances. These patterns can lead us to seek out experiences that give us a rush of dopamine or oxytocin, even if they're ultimately harmful to us. The speaker uses the example of social media and past relationships to illustrate this point. Social media can be addictive due to the hit of dopamine we get from checking for new likes or messages. Similarly, past relationships that give us a rush of excitement or connection but ultimately leave us feeling unstable or heartbroken can also be addictive. It's important to recognize these patterns and start seeing them as equally harmful as substance addictions. The allure of these addictive relationships or activities can be especially strong in the moment, especially with the influence of alcohol or other external factors. By understanding this, we can make more conscious choices about the people and activities we engage with and avoid getting trapped in unhealthy patterns.

    • Navigate your dating journey with easeJoin the free 'Dating with Results' training to bypass dating obstacles and find the love you deserve.

      If you're currently struggling with your dating life and seeking ways to make it easier, there's a solution. Many people find themselves in situations where they're not making progress, whether it's due to past relationships or difficulty meeting new people. The underlying desire, however, remains the same: the deep need for love in one's life. Dating today can be a challenging experience, but there's a way to navigate through it and find the love you truly want. To help you on this journey, there's a free 1-hour training called "Dating with Results." This training provides a roadmap for rapid progress in your love life, allowing you to bypass the obstacles and meet your person. Whether you're fresh out of a relationship or simply looking to improve your dating experiences, this training can save you years of time and effort. All you have to do is visit datingwithresults.com to watch it for free. Don't let the complexities of dating stand in the way of finding the love you deserve. Take the first step towards a more fulfilling love life by joining the "Dating with Results" training.

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    Resources/Things Mentioned During The Show
    Need Counseling neelycounseling.com
    Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/usInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/drkirleen/?hl=en

    Rate, Review, & Follow-on Apple Podcasts:
    Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people, just like improving their mental health and living a better story today. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast.

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    ---

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