Balancing Boundaries: Understanding Codependency and Enmeshment
Episode Overview
Codependency occurs when your well-being depends on others being okay. Differentiation helps you understand where you end and others begin. Empathy and compassion are important but can lead to codependency if unchecked. Maintaining healthy boundaries is crucial in recovery. Recognise what you can control and what you can't in relationships.
If someone else being okay is the only way that I'm gonna feel okay, that's a problem
In this episode of the Relational Recovery Podcast, hosts Wes Thompson and Austin Hill dive into the intricate topic of codependency and enmeshment. These two seasoned experts discuss the delicate balance between helping others and maintaining personal boundaries. Wes opens up about his own struggles with codependency, revealing how he used to believe he wasn't affected by it, only to later realise the blind spots in his behaviour.
This candid reflection sets the stage for a meaningful conversation on the importance of differentiation - understanding where you end and others begin. Austin shares his insights on how empathy and compassion, while essential, can sometimes lead to unhealthy dependencies if not managed well. The duo explores the impact of these issues on relationships, especially within families, workplaces, and recovery communities.
They emphasise that while it's natural to be affected by others' struggles, it's crucial to recognise what you can control and what you can't. This episode is a heartfelt discussion that offers practical advice for anyone grappling with codependency, making it a must-listen for those on their recovery journey.