We all want intimacy. Sometimes we help ourselves, and sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. Through the ups and downs, the roller-coaster of relationships, I like to believe we can learn to recognize and improve both our weaknesses and our strengths. It’s a matter of choice. These relationship faux pas became a central focus in my 2017 book “The Bimbo Has Brains… and Other Freaky Facts.” Nobody is perfect, but we can all work to tip the scales in a more positive direction.
We gain intimacy: We lose intimacy:
Open; Communicative Closed; Evasive
Honest Dishonest
Forgiving; Merciful Unrelenting; Merciless
Attentive; Connected Preoccupied; Disconnected
Accepting; Nonjudgmental Censuring; Critical
Compromising; Negotiating Inflexible; Heartless
Aware ; Connected; Sensitive Oblivious; Distant; Unfriendly
Appreciative; Grateful Overcritical; Thoughtless
Gentle ; Tender; Kind Forceful; Harsh; Abusive; Belittling
Humble; Unpretentious Arrogant; Domineering
Compassionate; Civil; Considerate Unconcerned; Insulting; Inconsiderate
Vulnerable Guarded
Trustworthy Untrustworthy
Consistent; Committed Inconsistent; Wishy-washy
Caring; Considerate Unfeeling; Apathetic; Inconsiderate
Positive; Gracious; Good-tempered Negative; Disagreeable; Ill-tempered
Respectful; Supportive Controlling; Belittling; Contradictory
Loving; Affectionate Hateful; Indifferent
Empathetic; Understanding; Perceptive Hostile; Narrow-minded
Charitable; Humane; Big-hearted Pitiless; Cold-hearted
Encouraging Oppressive
