My Blog
Authentic Connections, Boundaries, and Relationships
Why would someone treat another person poorly and expect them to take it? And, maybe more importantly, why on earth would the recipient of that behavior accept it?
There are plenty of reasons someone might behave disrespectfully, but I want to focus on something else. Why would someone stay in a re...
You don't need to apologize for something you didn’t do, but you also don’t want to disconnect. Here's what to do when you and your partner see the same moment in completely different ways.
A client of mine, Tammy (not her real name), is nearing retirement as a healthcare provider. She's caring, sm...
“I apologized. Why isn't my apology enough?”
Have you ever asked yourself that question? My client Cassie (not her real name) asked me that question during a recent coaching session. She was confused and hurt. The day before, her partner made a simple comment about how she handled a situation with ...
We all love a good ending.
Not just in obvious stories, like books and movies, but in everywhere in life: in relationships, in arguments, and in the stories we tell ourselves. We want the dots connected, the characters explained, and the lose ends tied up. And, it's a bonus if the story ends in a w...
A reader recently sent in this question:
How do you say no to a partner that you realize has an avoidant attachment style? I feel that if I say no or contradict her that will lead to her pulling further away.
This is the core conundrum of people-pleasers and those with anxious attachment style: ho...
Dear Dr. Julie: I caught feelings for a guy. I’m in America, and he’s in Africa. He says there’s no rush for a relationship. At first, I thought we were dating, but him saying that is confusing.
Now I’m at a point where I feel kinda foolish, like he had a change of heart and I was never his type fr...
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When you buy products or services through links on my site or in my emails, I may earn a small affiliate commission. However, I only recommend products that I would use for myself and those I care about.  All videos, articles, and statements made by me (Dr. Julie Shafer) and/or published by me anywhere online are for information and educational purposes only. Because everyone’s situation is different, please consult the appropriate professional before taking action based on information from this site or other publications by Dr. Julie Shafer. Reliance on information contained on my site, emails, or other platforms (e.g., FaceBook, YouTube, Medium, etc.) is solely at your own risk.