This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
Family time is a wonderful gift. Quality time together strengthens family relationships and gives everyone a sense of belonging and security.
Family activities help kids develop social skills and self-esteem, according to research. Building familial bonds isn’t always easy. In our busy lives, making time for family can be difficult, but they can be bolstered in numerous ways. It’s not required that they’re complex or intricate. Quite the contrary, in fact. The smallest details can have a significant impact.
Here are several ways you can strengthen your family ties without sacrificing too much of your “me time.”
Don’t act like a martyr
To the point of bitterness and resentment, don’t give up so much of yourself for your family that you begin to judge, criticize, and complain about them. When you do anything for your loved ones, put your whole heart into it. Do what you want to do because you truly enjoy it. You don’t deserve recognition for the numerous sacrifices you make. Stay away from playing martyr.
Consider each member of your family as a unique individual
Taking an interest in each member of your family is a good approach to enhance family relations. Showing sincere interest for every member and learning more about the things they genuinely enjoy and are enthusiastic about is the goal.
Fit in, yet make a statement
The fact that you are a member of your family is undeniable. Nevertheless, you are more than just your family.
Your thoughts, ideas, opinions, and interests are all uniquely yours. Your uniqueness and personality must be expressed in a manner that is uniquely yours. As a result, make sure you don’t lose your identity by attempting to conform to the expectations of your family. Blend in, but make a statement.
Let the healing process begin
Seek to constantly enable love to heal the wounds that require healing – in yourself and your family ties – and confront what needs to be addressed.
Pretending they don’t exist would only prolong the agony of past injuries, pain, hatred, regrets, and resentment. Recognize and accept the traumas and wounds you’ve suffered and give yourself permission to recover.
Allow breathing room in your interactions
Avoid being so close to one another that it becomes difficult for you to take a breath.
Create breathing room in your family relationships and provide everyone the opportunity to soar as far as they desire whenever the mood strikes them. Allow your family to be free, and be certain that they will always be able to come home even if they decide to fly away. An imprisoned bird, not only does it not sing but it may never return to its cage once being freed.
Seek a sense of harmony
The relationship between you and your family should be based on mutual respect, cooperation, and support. Don’t put yourself through the wringer so much that you burn out. Keep in mind that those who are continuously giving will become worn out if you take too much from them. Seek a sense of equilibrium.
You can show your love from a distance
Anyone in your family who attempts to damage or harm you should be removed from your life. Walking away from them if you think it may harm your relationship with this person is preferable to interacting with them.
If you want to be treated like a human being, you should be treated like one who is valued, precious, and deserving. The best course of action is to just ignore those who are unable to do so.
