Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting 2817: A Powerful Way To Stop Projecting Onto Your Partner by Dr. Lisa Firestone of Psych Alive on Building Emotional Awareness
Nov 30, 2025
Dr. Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist and author focused on emotional awareness, discusses the impact of past wounds on relationships. She emphasizes how recognizing our own projections can lead to empathy and deeper connections. By taking a moment to pause before reacting to our partners, we can cultivate curiosity instead of blame. Lisa also shares techniques for communicating with compassion and setting healthy boundaries. Her insights encourage awareness of emotional triggers, paving the way for healthier relationship dynamics.
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Past Wounds Shape Present Reactions
- Adult relationships routinely reopen old wounds and implicit memories from early attachment patterns.
- These unconscious patterns shape expectations and reactions more than we often realize.
Projection Fuels Misunderstanding
- Partners often project aspects of their past onto each other, causing misinterpretations.
- Recognizing projection reduces personalization and prevents needless conflict.
Pause Before Personalizing
- When a partner's reaction seems out of proportion, pause and give both of you space.
- Tell yourself the strong emotion may not be about you before responding.