In this episode, Esther speaks to a woman who has a pattern of being friend-zoned in her relationships. They explore the impact of feeling unloved and being used as a placeholder, discuss the influence of mother figures on self-worth, and provide tips on navigating dating pressure and choosing one's path.
32:46
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Quick takeaways
Childhood experiences greatly influence adult relationships and can perpetuate self-doubt and negative beliefs.
Shifting one's perspective and focusing on personal enjoyment and self-worth can lead to healthier dating experiences.
Deep dives
Struggling with feelings of not being enough and unlovability
The podcast episode features a 33-year-old woman who shares her struggles with feelings of not being enough and believing she is unlovable. She discusses her experiences in dating, where she often feels like a placeholder while the men she dates choose other partners. These experiences, coupled with a challenging upbringing and lack of maternal love, have deeply affected her self-esteem and sense of worthiness.
The influence of childhood experiences on adult relationships
The podcast explores how the woman's difficult childhood, where she felt unloved and received hurtful comments from her mother, has shaped her perception of herself and her experiences in relationships. The absence of a supportive father figure further compounded her feelings of unworthiness and a fear of not being chosen by others. The podcast highlights the lasting impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and the internal dialogue that can perpetuate self-doubt and negative beliefs.
Challenging the negative self-perception and dating patterns
The episode delves into the woman's dating experiences, where she invests time and energy into relationships only to feel used, unloved, and ultimately rejected. The podcast encourages her to decouple her self-worth from the outcome of her dates and suggests reframing her approach to dating. Instead of going into each date with the weight of past rejections and insecurities, she is advised to focus on enjoying herself, incorporating her own interests, and engaging in activities with a support system around her. By embracing a different perspective and challenging her internal dialogue, she can begin to shift her dating experiences and cultivate a healthier sense of self-worth.
Esther speaks to a woman who seems to get to a certain place within a relationship and then they end it. In her words, she seems to keep finding herself in the friend zone. In her latest relationship, she felt he took advantage of her stability and support without sharing the same feelings. Leaving her believing that she was just his placeholder until something better came along.
Esther Callings are a one-time, 45-60 minute interventional phone call with Esther. They are edited for time, clarity, and anonymity. If you have a question you would like to talk through with Esther, send a voice memo to producer@estherperel.com.
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