Why do people tell others to work on themselves before or instead of a relationship?
Why do people tell others to work on themselves before or instead of a relationship?
It's not instead of having a relationship because it won't cure being alone. But before having one, or before the next one. You can also do it while in one.
It is for a number of reasons, all related to avoiding to the relationship becoming dysfunctional, in particular becoming co-dependent or worse. Ideally you should be with someone because you want to be, not because you are too scared to leave.
Ideally you want two emotionally secure people who can form a partnership to take on life. So each person can go away knowing the other person is ok, there are no trust issues, it is all built on solid foundations.
Note this doesnt mean you have to do everything, or that you can't ask for help, or expect the other person to do their fair share. But since there will inevitably be disagreements, you need to be able to set boundaries and defend yourself.
I never knew any of this when I was younger.
It's not instead of having a relationship because it won't cure being alone. But before having one, or before the next one. You can also do it while in one.
It is for a number of reasons, all related to avoiding to the relationship becoming dysfunctional, in particular becoming co-dependent or worse. Ideally you should be with someone because you want to be, not because you are too scared to leave.
Ideally you want two emotionally secure people who can form a partnership to take on life. So each person can go away knowing the other person is ok, there are no trust issues, it is all built on solid foundations.
Note this doesnt mean you have to do everything, or that you can't ask for help, or expect the other person to do their fair share. But since there will inevitably be disagreements, you need to be able to set boundaries and defend yourself.
I never knew any of this when I was younger.