The Therapy Edit On 5 things to do when you feel touched out
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Sep 11, 2023 Feeling 'touched out' is a common experience for parents, and it can significantly affect relationships. Anna shares her journey of understanding this phenomenon and how her need for touch has evolved since motherhood. She provides five practical steps to manage these feelings, emphasizing the importance of communication with partners. By recognizing different needs and setting intentional boundaries, parents can navigate their tactile journey better. This insightful discussion offers reassurance that the intensity of touch can change over time.
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From Tactile To Touched Out
- Anna describes being very tactile pre-kids and then losing the desire for touch after having her first child.
- She used that personal confusion to discover the concept of being 'touched out' and felt guilt lift when she understood it.
The Cup Metaphor For Contact Needs
- Anna introduces the 'cup' metaphor for physical-contact capacity to explain changing touch needs.
- She links parental touch exhaustion to capacity limits similar to noise and energy processing.
Speak Up And Negotiate Touch Needs
- Notice and voice that you're feeling touched out by naming the feeling to a partner or friend.
- Recognize differences in needs, talk through assumptions, and make intentional compromises about closeness and space.
