09/04/2026
You might be waiting for them to change before you change how you show up.
You’re thinking:
“When they start being more loving, I’ll be more loving.”
“When they help more, I’ll stop being resentful.”
“When they start showing up for me, I’ll show up differently for them.”
But think about what happens when you do that.
You’re giving their behavior all the power.
You’re basically saying:
“You determine who I get to be.”
And then you’re frustrated that they aren’t showing up the way you want them to.
What if you tried something different?
What if you decided who you want to be first?
Not because they deserve it.
Not because their behavior is okay.
But because you like who you are when you show up that way.
Instead of waiting for them to be affectionate, what would it look like for you to be affectionate because that’s the kind of partner you want to be?
Instead of waiting for them to help before you stop being angry, what would it look like to communicate what you need without the resentment?
Instead of withdrawing because they hurt your feelings, what would it look like to stay connected to yourself and decide how you want to respond?
This doesn’t mean you ignore what they’re doing.
It doesn’t mean you accept behavior you don’t want.
It means you stop letting their behavior decide your behavior.
And here’s the part I think is really interesting…
People often respond differently when we show up differently.
When you’re angry and resentful, they feel that.
When you’re disappointed and withdrawn, they feel that.
When you’re trying to control them into changing, they feel that too.
So if you want something different from them, start by asking:
“Who do I need to be to create the kind of relationship I want?”
You may be surprised by what happens when you stop waiting for them to change and start showing up as the person you want to be.
And if they still don’t change?
You’ll have something even more important.
You’ll know you showed up as YOU.!! True you from love not withhold love.
Love
Clare