AREA OF FOCUS:
Relationships
This month, we’ll focus on building and nurturing healthy relationships through a 30-day Journey Towards Healthier Relationships Read through this month’s GRO Guide and be sure to follow our resident-exclusive Instagram account, @GreenHouse GRO, for helpful tips throughout the month
Why Relationships Matter
From familial bonds to friendships and romantic connections, relationships enrich our existence in profound ways, impacting our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being There is a wealth of research that underscores the pivotal role of relationships in our lives Furthermore, renowned psychologist Dr. John Gottman’s extensive research emphasizes that healthy relationships serve as a cornerstone of emotional resilience and overall life satisfaction (1)
Tips for Nurturing Healthy Relationships:
1.
2
Effective Communication: Active listening, empathy, and assertiveness are vital components for fostering understanding and mutual respect
Practice Empathy and Understanding: Cultivating empathy allows us to step into the shoes of our loved ones, fostering deeper connections and resolving conflicts with compassion and understanding
3.
Set Boundaries: Recognition of individual autonomy and mutual agreement on boundaries promote harmony and mutual respect
30-Day Journey Towards Healthier Relationships
Embark on a 30-day program focused on strengthening and enriching your relationships, fostering deeper connections and personal growth along the way
Week 1: Foundation of Understanding
Day 1-3:
Spend time reflecting on your own communication style, triggers, and relationship patterns
Day 4-5:
Each week, write in your GRO journal to reflect on how you ’ re feeling, as you make deeper connections.
Dedicate time each day to practice active listening with a partner, friend, or family member
Day 6-7:
Express gratitude or appreciation for someone in your life
Milestone: By the end of week 1, you should have increased self-awareness and initiated conversations that foster understanding and appreciation within your relationships
Use the card provided in your GRO Tool Kit to hand-write a note to a loved one, friend, expressing gratitude
AREA OF FOCUS:
Relationships
Week 2: Strengthening Communication
Day 8-10:
Use the signature GRO Relationship cards to engage in a conversation with a partner, family member, or friend Use your GRO Journal to reflect upon your convsersation
Day 11:
Practice using "I" statements to express your thoughts, feelings, and needs assertively, without blaming or accusing others
Day 12-14:
After a conversation, take a moment to reflect on what was said and how it made you feel
Milestone: By the end of week 2, you should better understand your own communication style and have strengthened your communication skills.
Week 3: Foster Connections
Day 15-18:
Spend dedicated one-on-one time with a loved one to deepen your connection
Day 19-21:
Guide
Take the initiative to start a conversation with a coworker beyond work-related topics.
Milestone: After week 3, you should notice a deepening of connection in both your personal and professional life
TOOLS
Week 4: Reinforcing and Reflecting
Day 22-26:
Utilize the signature GRO Relationship cards to engage in meaningful conversations with your partner, family member, or friend.
Practice vulnerability by opening up to a trusted friend, family member, or partner about something you ' ve been hesitant to discuss
Day 27-30:
Reflect on the past month and use your GRO Journal to write down three things you ' re grateful for in each of your significant relationships
Milestone: By the end of week 4, you should have experienced a significant deepening of your emotional connections through vulnerability and reflection
Remember, this 30-day plan is a gradual approach to building better health habits. Each action item contributes to a holistic improvement in your relationships and overall wellness.
MEET THE EXPERT:
John Kim
John Jim is a licensed therapist & life coach, co-founder TAT Lab & Lumia Coach Training and host of The Angry Therapist Podcast.
John’s authenticity, honest approach to therapy and relationship expertise have resulted in multiple New York Times best-selling books, including ‘Single on Purpose’ and ‘I Used to be a Miserable F*uck: An Everyman’s Guide to a Meaningful Life’.
Follow John on Instagram @theangrytherapist
Listen to The Angry Therapist Podcast
Check out John’s Books
RESEARCH SOURCES:
(1) The Gottman Institute Research