![]() When we enter into a relationship with someone, many of us envision a fun-loving and exciting bond with a companion exhibiting qualities that bring value to the relationship. So when a food allergy enters the picture, we are forced to unwillingly enter into a relationship - one that doesn't fit our typical healthy relationship model. Simply stated, we end up in a relationship with a potentially emotionally and physically abusive companion. Given that we typically don't have the choice to break up with our food allergy, we have to learn how to turn a bad relationship into a healthy one. So how can we accomplish this seemingly impossible task? Accept the Not-So-Good Qualities & Identify the Good Ones Think about your significant other, or even a close friendship. I bet you can identify both good and not-so-good qualities associated with that person. In relationships, since there is no such thing as perfect, we find ways to live with the characteristics that we find less than desirable in our mate or friend. Try this thought on for size - your food allergy is just another relationship in your life. This "person" comes with positive and negative qualities. However, unlike other relationships, where you have a choice to engage or disengage, that's not an option with this one. You're forced to accept your food allergy as it is - it's the ultimate test of acceptance. If you're going to have this relationship in your life for the long-haul, it can be useful to focus on ways that it may actually enhance your life, rather than only cause problems. You're probably well-versed with the not-so-good, and even downright bad qualities, but can you identify some positive aspects of living with your food allergy? Identify and Be Firm With Your Boundaries With relationships, whether it's with a family member, friend, or significant other, we typically set boundaries that help us maintain healthy connections. Those boundaries may relate to how much time is spent together, expectations, division of responsibilities, etc. As your food allergy is an additional relationship in your life, you'll need to set clear boundaries with it as well. Some examples of boundaries you might want to set with this relationship are:
Being forced into a relationship with someone, or in this case, something that we don't like is a tough pill to swallow. But when we can't exercise the right to break up with it, we're better off finding a way to live cohesively with it. Otherwise, we find ourselves in an emotionally draining relationship pattern with our food allergy, giving it ALL of the control rather than finding ways to live harmoniously. What relationship rules do you have with your food allergy? Read More Related to This Topic:
6 Comments
Lenoire Darrett
8/23/2018 12:08:05 pm
I have numerous allergies to wheat, rye, barley, oats, seafood all kinds lamd, beef, tuna, peanuts, yeast, black pepper, eggs, cats, multiple trees, multiple grasses, horses, rag weed, tree and grass pollen, and iodine...to name a few. It's been difficult the last 11 years. I ate the things I knew I was allergic to and it cause Lupus. I had to eliminate the foods and go vegan for a year per cardiologist to heal the inflammation called systemic Lupus erythematosis. This caused the Lupus to go onto remission and that was five years ago. I eat poultry now but miss many of the foods I love. How are you doing with food allergies?
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Individuals are fundamentally a similar the world over. Everyone needs exactly the same things - to be content, to be sound, to be to some extent sensibly prosperous, and to be secure. They need companions, inward feeling of harmony, great family connections, and trust that tomorrow will be far superior to now.
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7/9/2023 03:14:49 am
Exceptional blog! Informative and engaging content. Well done.
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