Unraveling The Impact of Family Secrets on Relationships

SHOW NOTES: Episode 16

How can family secrets impact relationships within the family? On this episode, I am joined by an anonymous guest as we discuss the impact of discovering a big family secrets as an adult. We chat about the toll it can take on family dynamics and how to navigate the aftermath. We also chat about the importance of having hard conversations and getting real honest with yourself and others in order to move forward in relationships.

It is important to establish healthy relationships in families, both for the present and the future. We talk more about how the actions that parents take with their children today can have an impact on their relationship years down the line. We also chat about how challenging it is navigating difficult emotions and conversations in families that have not previously shared emotions especially when finding out about a family secrets years later. The lack of emotional connection in long-standing family relationships can make it difficult to sit with emotions and resolve issues. However, we talk about how it is important to establish this to create a healthier family dynamic. We ultimately would want our family members to offer support and understanding when navigating these difficult emotions and conversations, rather than judgment and pressure to meet certain expectations.

The anonymous guest and I talk about how when it comes to family secrets, it is important to be patient with yourself and to not expect a “normal” when dealing with challenging situations. Every day can look different and there is no easy answer to navigating difficult circumstances. If you find yourself in this situation, the guest shares more about trying to accept the reality of the situation and not put too much pressure on yourself. She also shares about the fear that she has faced with not being accepted by others and the grief that comes with losing family relationships due to others not agreeing with you taking a stance. Be patient with yourself if you find yourself in a similar situation.

I would love to hear what you thought of today’s episode on Instagram @marandakirk or email me at ru@marandakirk.com!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVERED:

• Family secrets

• Family estrangement

• Balancing honesty and protection

• Emotional connections in families

• Communication in families

• Encouragement for navigating difficult times

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

• Check out last week's episode here!

• Connect with me on Instagram: @marandakirk

• Want to be an anonymous guest on the show as we unravel a hard topic? Apply HERE!

MORE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS UNRAVELED PODCAST:

Life’s greatest joy and greatest pain come in our relationships with others.  God created us for relationships so it's no surprise that we learn best how to navigate them…together! 

On Relationships Unraveled, we will create an inviting atmosphere for conversations that goes below the surface!  We will unravel stories and relationship dynamics of all kinds (God, Self, and Others), through honest and practical conversations that shock the norm to create new perspectives and understanding! I am your host, Maranda Kirk, and I use my faith in Jesus, passion, life experiences, and training as a life coach and Enneagram coach, to unravel ideas around relationships. 

On this show, we will talk honestly and practically about relationship dynamics we all face, so we can live the life we were created for, be an inspiring example to others, and ultimately fan the flame of relational wellness!  I learn and grow tremendously from the conversations I’m having with people, so I want to bring you along, in hopes that, by listening in, you will feel supported as you are challenged and encouraged to apply new ideas, understanding or skills to the relationships in your life and begin making the changes you desire! By experiencing small wins, we create momentum as we make progress!

Given my heart for conversations and relationships, I want to hear from you, connect with you, and cover the topics you want to learn more about! Connect with me on my website where you can join my email list, www.marandakirk.com  Find me on Instagram @marandakirk and Facebook @Maranda Kirk - Relationships Unraveled.