I hope that my response will prove to be of some assistance to you.
It is my personal opinion that for your boyfriend to feel secure in the relationship, it is essential that you provide him with sufficient acceptance and support. Furthermore, it is crucial for us to feel secure in the relationship, as this also has a significant impact on him.
In order to maintain a sense of security in an intimate relationship, it is necessary to engage in introspective reflection, modify internal patterns, and consistently endeavor to trust oneself. It is essential to invest more time and energy into understanding and developing oneself. Ultimately, one's trust in oneself serves as the foundation for one's sense of security in any relationship.
When a single mother experiences emotional distress, she may unconsciously or deliberately convey messages to her daughter that reinforce a particular belief system. These messages may include statements such as "Don't trust men," "Women must rely on themselves," "Don't become overly invested in relationships," and "If he treats you poorly before marriage, what will he do after?"
This will have a direct and significant impact on the formation of the daughter's adult relationships and her worldview. Consequently, when she reaches adulthood, she will exhibit a tendency to be suspicious and to test others.
Even if she meets a reliable man, if she has been socialized to believe that all men are unreliable, then subconsciously she will constantly test and try to see if the other person really loves her. This may manifest as challenging the man's patience in various ways, acting up and being jealous, hoping that the other person will unconditionally appease and tolerate her every time, until she has used up all of the other person's love and patience.
Ultimately, upon the departure of the individual in question, the subject will come to the conclusion that men are untrustworthy. This is because beliefs create a matching reality, which in turn reinforces the belief in question.
Our personality model is, in fact, our comprehensive belief system, which interacts with one another. Our personality model will reinforce our belief system, which, in turn, reinforces our personality pattern.
Furthermore, it will result in a transformation of one's personality pattern.
If our inner patterns remain static, it will be challenging to break free from this cycle and become the person we aspire to be. Therefore, it is essential to understand how these patterns are formed.
This is directly related to the attachment patterns that were formed during childhood.
Psychological research, as evidenced by the renowned stranger situation experiment, indicates that children typically exhibit three primary attachment patterns during infancy and early childhood.
1. Secure attachment: A child with a secure attachment can engage in play with toys without anxiety when in the presence of their mother and will not exhibit a tendency to cling to their mother. When their mother departs, they will display distress, but upon her return, they will promptly seek contact with their mother, rapidly regain composure, and resume playing.
2. Avoidant attachment is an insecure attachment pattern. Children with this type of attachment do not experience significant distress or concern when their mother leaves, nor do they pay much attention when she returns. They may briefly approach and then walk away, displaying neglectful and evasive behaviors. These children do not perceive a notable distinction between the comfort of their mother and that of a stranger.
3. Anxious attachment is also an insecure attachment pattern. The individual exhibits a strong resistance to their mother's departure, a tendency to seek contact with their mother upon her return, and displays resistance and even anger when this contact is denied. Additionally, they are unable to calm down and engage in playful activities.
Further research has revealed that individuals who lack a sense of security in intimate relationships often exhibit characteristics associated with insecure attachment styles. These include avoidant attachment, characterized by indifference or coldness in romantic relationships, and anxious attachment, which involves exerting excessive control over the other person, forcing them to comply, and maintaining constant vigilance.
In the event of difficulties within an intimate relationship, individuals may experience feelings of being mistreated by their partner, perceiving them as the source of relationship issues, and exhibiting a reluctance to take the initiative in fostering positive change. Instead, they may succumb to feelings of anxiety and fear.
Indeed, the key to achieving security in intimate relationships is not to seek changes in the other person, but rather to undergo changes in one's own internal patterns and become secure attachments in oneself.
In order to become a secure attachment person, it is necessary to undertake the following actions:
1. Gain an understanding of one's own internal patterns.
If one can achieve a state of calm and engage in introspection, it becomes evident that a significant proportion of emotional experiences are rooted in the repressed longing for a sense of security that was not fulfilled during childhood. Intimate relationships can serve to evoke a retreat to the experiences of childhood, wherein the unfulfilled longing for that period becomes a source of need.
It is imperative to observe and inquire of oneself the reason behind the onset of any emotional state. This entails identifying the specific aspect of one's needs that has not been fulfilled.
It is important to ascertain whether one's expectations are based on the approval of others or the desire for unconditional acceptance. Additionally, it is crucial to identify any erroneous beliefs that may be influencing one's actions.
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Gradually, one may discern that each instance of anger is rooted in a common underlying cause, namely, the core problem itself.
For example, I previously experienced feelings of anger directed at others for their actions, at my children for failing to meet my expectations regarding their homework, at my husband for engaging in mahjong activities that extended beyond a reasonable hour, and at my mother-in-law for exerting undue control over me.
Subsequently, I came to understand that the issue was not with them, but rather with my own misperceptions. I had been evaluating them based on my personal standards, and when they did not align with my expectations, I experienced discomfort. However, they are all autonomous individuals, and we have no control over their actions and thoughts. When I accept them for who they are, while also articulating my expectations of them, if they are unable to meet these expectations, I do not resort to measuring them against my own standards. Instead, I respect their independence and uniqueness. As a result, I feel a sense of relief and my relationship with them is becoming increasingly harmonious.
2. It is imperative to accept oneself and learn to care for oneself.
It can be argued that a significant proportion of our entanglements originate from self-denial and self-doubt. It is possible that this phenomenon is influenced by traditional Chinese culture, which often encourages self-criticism and the belief that one is inherently flawed.
Nevertheless, if one persists in focusing on one's shortcomings, one will be unable to break free from one's internal patterns and find the strength and courage within oneself.
One can only achieve emotional liberation when one learns to accept oneself and one's imperfections. This enables the release of resentment and anger towards one's parents from childhood. Furthermore, only when one learns to care for oneself and one's own feelings and needs can one develop inner strength and a sense of security.
The capacity to care for oneself necessitates consistent training and encompasses three fundamental components:
It is important to observe the situation calmly and without hasty action or resistance. Instead, one should learn to surrender to the situation.
In the experience of pain, the initial response should not be to hastily seek its elimination or to resist it. Instead, it is essential to cultivate a state of acceptance and recognition for the internal pressure and burden that are the source of the pain in the present moment.
I am acquainted with an individual who was frequently neglected by her parents during her childhood. When she desired to establish a connection with them, she would engage in self-deprecating behaviors and experience feelings of hopelessness. I recommended that she document her feelings during these instances, including the fear and guilt associated with her childhood experiences of abandonment. Over time, she came to comprehend the underlying emotions that shaped her attachment patterns, attempted to comprehend the nuances of these emotions, experienced the emotions that these patterns elicited in her life, and identified the repressed self-wishes and needs that drove these emotions.
It is crucial to acknowledge, however, that throughout this process, it is imperative to refrain from judgment and instead adopt a stance of observation.
Through constant awareness, one can gain a deeper understanding of oneself, including the underlying causes of suffering and the fundamental needs that must be met.
It is essential to establish a sense of connection and belonging within by connecting with our common humanity.
Life is not without pain, and it is inevitable that we will experience challenging periods. This is a fundamental aspect of our shared humanity, and it is a lesson that we must learn during our growth and development. By recognizing this, we can re-establish the necessary sense of connection and belonging within ourselves.
I am acquainted with an individual who has been experiencing difficulties in her professional relationship with her superior. She perceives that she is unable to maintain the pace of the company's progress at work and feels that her superior is unduly demanding of her. Despite her best efforts, she is unable to meet the expectations set by her superior. Conversely, her superior is unable to recognize her efforts and is displeased with her performance due to the numerous errors in her work.
Rather than attempting to actively resolve the situation, she believes that this is simply her inherent capability, and if it does not succeed, she will simply withdraw.
The subject's expectations of her superior are idealistic. She hopes that her superior will not be angry with her for not doing a good job and will not reduce her salary because she is now unable to keep up with the company's progress. In each meeting, when her superior points out her mistakes and shortcomings, she resists, thinking that she herself is not at fault. She does not want to admit her own inadequacies and resists growth.
One day, she encountered colleagues from other companies and realized that their lives were more challenging than hers, and they were not compensated as much as she was. She felt a sense of relief and realized that her previous mindset was limited. She understood that resisting the boss over minor issues at work was unproductive. She also recognized the boss's good intentions. The boss did not intend to embarrass her or harm her, but rather wanted her to adapt more effectively to the company's growth and development, continue to grow, and thus better adapt to society.
Upon observing this, her consciousness and resilience are stimulated, prompting her to take the initiative to cultivate and enhance her personal growth. Her inner self is imbued with a profound motivation for change, ultimately leading to a profound sense of inner connection and belonging.
It is important to treat oneself with kindness and to interact with oneself in a respectful manner.
Self-care entails the capacity to recognize the presence of distressing and painful experiences, to perceive the accompanying emotions, and to provide oneself with sufficient love and kindness during the process. This can be achieved through various means, including mental, emotional, physical, or behavioral actions. In essence, one becomes the inner parent of oneself, tending to one's inner child.
For example, when an individual experiences guilt, they can imagine what they would say to a highly regarded friend if they were in that friend's position. In that moment, the individual can offer themselves the same comfort: "I can see that you are prioritizing your needs and your bottom line, but your willingness is what matters most. A slight deviation from the goal is not a significant issue. Everyone encounters this situation, but tomorrow is a new day. I hope you will be kind to yourself, be patient, and forgiving."
The discovery of positive experiences through the implementation of continuous self-care practices has been shown to foster increased confidence. When individuals attend to their emotional and other needs in a satisfactory manner and continue to develop through their own efforts, their abilities and energy tend to increase, thereby entering a virtuous cycle that reinforces a sense of security and worth within the individual.
It is my sincere hope that you experience happiness.
Comments
I understand how draining this situation must be for you. It's important to have an open conversation with him about your feelings and set boundaries that respect both of your needs.
It sounds like you're carrying a heavy emotional burden. Maybe it's time to suggest counseling for both of you, where a professional can guide you through building trust and security in the relationship.
Feeling constantly tested can wear anyone down. Have you considered expressing these concerns to him and discussing what triggers his insecurity? Understanding each other could be a step forward.
Your effort to please and tolerate might actually reinforce his behavior. Perhaps establishing firm boundaries and being honest about what you need from the relationship can help him see the importance of trust.
It's tough when someone you love struggles with insecurity. Encouraging him to work on selfesteem outside of the relationship might reduce his dependency on constant validation from you.