In our closest relationships, we long for connection, understanding, and a sense of being truly seen. We want intimacy. Yet, couples often find themselves trapped in repetitive conflicts and communication breakdowns, leaving them feeling distant and disconnected. To understand how to move beyond these negative cycles, it's essential to explore the concept of intimacy itself, particularly from a Transactional Analysis (TA) perspective.

Relationships can be a source of immense joy and support, but they can also become battlegrounds for unhealthy interactions. Do you ever feel like you're caught in the same negative scenarios with the people in your life, playing out familiar roles in a drama you didn't sign up for? If so, you might be experiencing the Karpman Drama Triangle.

Anxiety. It's a feeling many of us know all too well. That knot in your stomach, the racing thoughts, the sense of unease that can take over your mind and body. But what if anxiety isn't just a random occurrence? What if it's connected to something deeper, something about our ability to express our needs and understand our own feelings?

It's been suggested that anxiety, in some cases, arises when people struggle to articulate their feelings effectively, perhaps fearing they'll come across as weak, or believing it's not okay to ask for what they want and need. There's a lot of wisdom in this idea.