Have you ever felt like you’re playing a role in your own relationship rather than truly being yourself?
The Relationship Script Trap
Societal expectations and cultural scripts often dictate how partners should behave, leading to frustration or disconnection.
Where These Scripts Come From
These scripts shape expectations and sometimes create invisible pressures. Common sources of relationship roles include family upbringing, cultural norms, media portrayals, and past experiences.
The Cost of Following a Script That Doesn’t Fit
Rigid roles can foster resentment, imbalance, and a lack of authenticity in relationships. In today’s society, where both partners often work full-time, there is still an expectation that one partner should take on a disproportionate share of household and childcare duties. This imbalance can lead to feelings of unappreciation and resentment. By recognizing that societal expectations, rather than one partner’s actions, are often at the root of these issues, couples can shift their perspective, moving from blame and shame to a partnership where both feel valued, supported and heard. This allows them to “reauthor” their relationship dynamic in a way that encourages mutual support and fosters a more authentic, fulfilling partnership.
Rewriting the Story: How Couples Can Break Free
- Separate the problem from the person. Instead of viewing a partner as “the problem,” recognize the external narratives influencing behaviours.
- Analyze and question the societal and cultural narratives that have been integrated in what people believe to be normal. It is by doing this that couples can develop a deeper understanding of the origin of their roles and assessing their relevance.
- Co-create new stories that align with the couple’s foundational and shared values, fostering authenticity and fulfilling aspirations.
Embracing a Relationship Without Limits
By challenging and rewriting these traditional scripts, couples can develop a relationship that reflects their true selves, free from societal constraints. This journey requires communication, empathy and willingness to explore uncharted territories together. By co-authoring anew narrative, couples can build a partnership that is both empowering and liberating.
What’s one role in your relationship that you’d like to rewrite?
Book a free meet & greet and lets get started re-writing your relationship story.