Feel Like You're Walking on Eggshells Around Your Partner?

Walking on eggshells" around someone means being very cautious and hesitant in your interactions with them, due to fear of their negative or unpredictable reactions. This often involves walking a tightrope of careful behavior to avoid upsetting them or triggering conflict. This can manifest as being hypervigilant about your words and actions, fearing their anger, criticism, or emotional outbursts. 

Why it happens:

• Emotional Abuse:

  This behavior can stem from emotional abuse where one partner's unpredictable reactions, such as anger or criticism, create a climate of fear. 

• Unstable Behavior:

  Erratic behavior, mood swings, and quick-to-anger personalities can also lead to a partner feeling like they must tiptoe around them to avoid conflict. 

• Power Imbalance:

  When one partner feels they have less power in the relationship, they may feel the need to be cautious to avoid upsetting the other. 

• Insecurity and Fear:

  One partner may be insecure and fear the other's potential reactions, leading them to be overly cautious. 

Signs you might be walking on eggshells:

• Fear of upsetting your partner: You are constantly worried about saying or doing something that will trigger a negative reaction. 

• Second-guessing yourself: You constantly doubt your words and actions, afraid of causing conflict. 

• Avoiding certain topics: You avoid certain subjects or activities to prevent a negative reaction. 

• Feeling anxious or resentful: You feel anxious or resentful because of the constant need to be cautious. 

• Loss of authenticity: You may feel like you can't be yourself around your partner. 

• Constant mood changes: One partner's mood swings frequently and unpredictably, leaving you unsure how to act. 

What to do:

• Self-reflection: Understand your feelings and assess if this pattern exists. 

• Open communication: Talk to your partner about your concerns and how their behavior affects you. 

• Set boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries and communicate them clearly. 

• Seek professional help: If the situation is severe or abusive, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor.