Is Your Relationship Codependent?

Love. It can enrich our lives, provide meaning and support, and reduce stress. Developing your own identity and sense of self can sound like a tall order, but it's the foundation we need in order to develop a healthy relationship with another person.

Characteristics of a healthy relationship:
Accountability. Admit mistakes and accept responsibility.
Trust. Be a person of your word.
Honesty. Communicate openly and truthfully.
Cooperation. Make decisions together and find a mutually agreeable compromise when necessary.
Safety. Respect each other's physical space.
Support. Be understanding and encouraging, valuing each other's opinions and choices.

So, what are some signs that your relationship is codependent?
You're using the relationship to fill a void. The need for something outside of yourself to feel OK and cope with life is a sign your relationship has become problematic.
You're sacrificing parts of yourself to please your partner. Individuals in codependent relationships will expect reciprocity in this sacrifice, not get it, and end up feeling hurt and resentful.
You lack boundaries. If you start with a set of guidelines that set a standard for a healthy amount of time spent with your significant other and you find yourself breaking those, you might be laying the foundation for a codependent relationship.
You find it difficult to speak your mind. If you're uncomfortable saying what's on your mind for fear that you'll be judged, you're depriving yourself the opportunity to have an open, honest relationship.
You're obsessing in an attempt to control the relationship. You need to be able to accept that you may not know how everything is going to turn out. Navigate and enjoy this journey together.
You are intensely fearful of losing the relationship. If you have something good, it makes sense that you would want to keep that person in your life. Sometimes you need to take a step back and remind yourself that you are going to be OK regardless of whether this person is in your life or not.