Take the Power Back in Love

When it comes to love, it’s easy to get caught up in the needs and decisions of that special someone. What can start out as a healthy attraction can become a dangerous dependency if you begin to look outside yourself for happiness.

Sometimes you crave romance so much that you’re willing to give up control over your own life, without even realizing it. If you feel like you’ve given up your power to another person, it’s time to put it – and your life – back where it belongs… in your own hands.

Take the power back!

Plug in to yourself
The first step to taking control of your life when your partner is making most of the decisions is to step back. Analyze how that affects your life in an honest way. Think about what makes you happy – and what makes you unhappy. Consider your goals, hopes and dreams. Is you partner supportive in your journey – or are they undermining your ability to find success and happiness?

Once you have a clearer vision of your life – and any power issues in your relationship – you can begin to assert yourself more. You’ll become aware of the things you may be doing in the interest of love that are not in your best interest.

Unplug from other people
As you recognize opportunities for change, you’ll also begin to see that those decisions were always part of your life – you’d just let someone else make them. In the beginning, it will be tough to unplug from the opinions of your partner and reclaim power over your life. You may be afraid of failure, or concerned about alienating the other person.

But if you communicate your needs consistently, the one you love will understand that you’re just trying to stand on your own, and make meaningful changes in your life. And what if that someone doesn’t want you to take back the power in your life? There’s a good chance they don’t really know how to love you. They might only be interested in control.

Recharge yourself
Taking back the power in your life is an exciting, rewarding process – but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. It’s important to give yourself extra TLC as you take on this challenge. Get plenty of rest, and exercise. Eat healthy, so you can keep your mind and body balanced. Make time for therapy, meditation or religious activities so you can stay focused during this transition.

When you’re feeling especially overwhelmed or unsure of what steps to take, spending a few minutes talking to someone else – perhaps a best friend or confidante. It might even be time to discuss things with a professional adviser. Remember: during this process, it’s important to tune in to your own specific needs to take care of you first!