Remember the song, “I’m Walkin’ on Sunshine”? Most of the time our closest relationships should feel like walking on sunshine. But what if, like me, you’ve had an experience in many family relationships that feels more like walking on eggshells?
Walking on eggshells is a warning flag that something is very wrong. In healthy relationships, even when one of the participants is in a bad mood, tired or irritated, trust still underpins the relationship. Because of the underlying trust, neither one ever feels like they’re walking on eggshells.
Walking on eggshells means you can’t be sure what is coming next. This is because your experience has been that what is coming next could be a “rocket across the bow” to you.
People who live with those caught in addiction frequently describe their relationship with the addict as one of “walking on eggshells.” Similar descriptions will be used for relationships with narcissists, manipulators and other types of self-centered behavior.
Over time, walking on eggshells can create severe stress, may even cause depression or worse. No one deserves this in her or his life.
Stop. Assess. Consult a therapist. Make changes. Your life and health depend on it. Start walkin’ on sunshine.
You may also like Thinkers Anonymous, Difficult People, and Question the Culture.