Entering a Relationship After Being Hurt

You were created to long for attachment, to desire to matter to someone and to “hunger and thirst” for relationship. You were made that way so you could know when to seek comfort and connect. Just like your car’s gas gauge, your needs tell you when you’re on “empty.”

However, your needs for relationship may have been buried. They may be so far underground that you’ve despaired of ever finding them again. If so, this second task, “learning to need,” is vital for you.

You can regain your experience of neediness. You had it once: almost all babies are born with the desire to be protected, connected, and comforted.

1. Confess you inability to need. Tell the truth to your safe relationships about how hard it is to rely on others, depend on others, and actually want others close. This lets your friends know that you truly need to need. As they draw closer to you, instead of shrinking back, you slowly learn to trust again. What is occurring is that the internal need begins to respond to the warmth, constancy, and safety of your relationships.
2. Don’t fake it. You might be tempted to pretend you’re closer and needier than you feel, hoping you can generate the feelings. This isn’t helpful. It distracts your safe people from your real condition and discourages the lost part of you from being known. This will probably take some time, but safe people understand that and have time.
3. Keep your boundaries. Pay attention to your need for separateness. Let people know when you’ve had enough connecting time, and don’t push it too hard. This helps you feel much safer internally, and more ready to take risks, knowing you won’t be swallowed up in relationship.

Let's talk about how to process the pain and hurt from a previous relationship.