What's Your Relational Stress Style?
Over 20 years working with people in stress ....
I've seen two types of regret: People try to "please" others and then doubt themselves later ... or they focus on "persuading" too much and end up creating distance with others.
After hearing hundreds of these stories, I saw an unhelpful & silent dynamic was driving both the self-doubt & the unintended distance.
This Matching Dynamic can push us into relational patterns that keep us from being authentic or calm in the moment, & prevent connection or fulfillment over time.
This quiz can help you gauge your patterns or Relational Stress Style™. Read the items below, and count how many green versus blue statements resonate for you.
👇 Read below and count up how many GREEN statements and/or BLUE statements resonate for you? 👇
1. Saying "No"?
When I sense conflict or feel pressure to agree with something, it's difficult for me to say "no." I will often doubt myself when I do.
In stressful interactions, I sometimes have a difficult time accepting that someone doesn't see my point of view.
2. Making Decisions?
I delay or doubt myself when making decisions that involve other people, because I'm afraid I"ll disappoint someone, or I"ll make the "wrong" decision.
I don't usually have a problem making decisions. I'm usually quite decisive. But I can get bogged down in debates with people, if they don't agree with what I believe is best.
3. Common feeling in stressful interactions?
Sometimes I feel sort of invisible in certain relationships, or in certain moments.
It's hard for me to have patience in disagreements or arguments. When I have an opinion, it's a strong one.
4. Common regret after tough conversations?
I usually try to keep the peace, but this can leave me tolerating decisions or situations that irritate me later. I wish I felt more confident to speak up or share my opinion sometimes.
In the moment, I have no problem speaking my mind. But sometimes I get too worked up and say the wrong thing, or say things in a way that sounds more harsh than I intended.
What's your Relational Stress Style™?
Option 1
More GREEN statements:
Puddle
The pattern of "puddling" can happen when you feel obliged to "match" what other people want or expect. It may not be a conscious thought you've had. But that is the premise behind "pleasing mode" or hoping "not to disappoint" anyone.
Option 2
More BLUE statements:
Freeze
"Freezing" can happen when you unconsciously feel driven to get other people to "match" what you believe is best. It's not wrong to have opinions. But we can "freeze into rigidity" about our opinion, when we get stuck in "persuading mode" and persist in unproductive conflict.
Option 3
Both GREEN & BLUE:
Puddle & Freeze
You may fall into both "puddling" or "freezing" depending on the context or type of relationship. For example, you may puddle at work, striving to say "yes" without limit.. But you might freeze into rigidity about personal decisions, or ways of doing things at home, after a long work day.