What is the difference between wanting to make your partner happy and being accommodating to the point of losing yourself? What is the recipe for self-love that allows you to deepen your connection in relationships? In this episode, I speak with Ivy Kwong, a licensed marriage & family therapist, speaker, and writer who specializes in self-love and connection to heal codependency.

Ivy also lets us in on an emotional intimacy exercise you can start putting into practice right away (55:05). Make a new nightly routine of checking in with yourself and sharing with your partner about the following areas: anger, pain, sadness, fear, shame, guilt, joy, and loneliness. Tune in to hear exactly how this exercise works and more tips and tricks you can use to help yourself (and your partner) grow. 

In this episode, you’ll also learn:

• The definition and different degrees of codependency (19:17)
• The value of self-esteem and self-love (27:45)
• What you need in order to sustain a relationship (48:05)
• And so much more!

Where can you find more about Ivy Kwong?

Website: BareIvy.com

Instagram: @BareIvy

Email: bareivy@gmail.com

Additional Website: https://www.shellbreaker.com/

Recommendations and references:

Article: “F*ck Yes or No” by Mark Manson 

Book: “Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself” by Melody Beattie

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