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Breaking Free from the Overfunctioning Trap: A Journey to Relationship Balance and Self-Discovery
Weirdly, getting married flicked a switch, and it felt like my job to look after my partner.
“Jam or peanut butter”? I yelled angrily from the kitchen as my (then) partner played video games. His face lit from the screen glare, laughing with his friends amidst super-loud gunfire.
Relationships can get off balance. Nobody’s fault; just something to be aware of. Let me share a story…
Me? Oh yeah, I was embarrassingly clueless about relationship dynamics (and my own needs); I remember proudly doing everything.
It was like he was ill, and I was taking care of him.
Yet he was splendidly fine and well.
Not sure if you know Marilyn in the TV soap Home and Away?
That was me.
I was smothering; it removed the oxygen and left a vacuum.
I felt exhausted, but, my God, there was no stopping me!
Hovering, making lunch, cleaning, fetching things. Weirdly, getting married flicked a switch, and it felt like my job to look after my partner.