Sometimes it takes an extraordinary effort to undo and redo some of the harder, more prickly interpersonal strategies we learned early in life — strategies that may have once helped and protected us, but that we no longer primarily need or want to draw on. Consistent practice over time can retrain our brains and bodies to think differently and be different in new contexts. But the practice is generally not perfect along the way and we may keep doing old behaviors in spite of our best intentions. This part of the process can be very humbling, and it can take a lot of willingness, self-compassion, and perseverance to keep going each time an old strategy rears up again. What new interpersonal strategy are you practicing with this year?
[image description: Two hearts stand facing each other. One with a tear in its eyes offers the other heart with both palms up and arms out-stretched a tiny red heart floating above its hands. The second heart looks at the gift with an expression of curiosity. Text reads: "I'm working hard on being consistently tender."]
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