139: Conflict and Connection in Marriage With Brett Nikula
These are the questions we discussed in today’s episode! I’m so happy to introduce you to my good friend Brett, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, and also a Life Coach.
-Can you introduce yourself, and share with my audience how you came to do the work you are doing?
-Conflict with your spouse after your child dies is a huge stressor for many grieving mothers. Can you share a little bit about the conflict cycle that you teach about, and how couples can use it to connect.
-We also think that there’s something wrong with our marriage when we have conflict. Is this true?
-What happens if only one person is wanting to change or work on their marriage?
-How would a couple know if they need help in their marriage or not?
If you want to connect with Brett and learn more from him, or schedule a appointment with him you can find him through these links!
Facebook- www.facebook.com/pivotalapproachmn
Instagram- www.instagram.com/pivotalapproachmn
If you like this podcast, and found it helpful, I want to invite you come check out Grieving Moms Haven, my monthly community for Grieving moms, where you can learn positive coping mechanisms, find a safe space with others who understand, and learn life long skills that support you as you learn how to carry this weight of grief in your life.
There are group coaching calls where we do guided meditations, tapping meditations, breathwork, and just talk, knowing that everyone in the group is also walking the path of child loss
You can come check out Grieving Moms Haven at www.grievingmomshaven.com
The more you allow yourself to sit in discomfort, the more you become okay with being uncomfortable. Actually, the more comfortable you become. The more you lean into uncomfortable feelings, sensations, and emotions, the more comfortable you become.
I think right now, I just have so much gratitude because when you're in a struggle, you have no idea why it's happening. And to be able to be like, Wow, I turned this into something that I'm so proud of because I see how it's helping other women. That just shows that, like, that is a plan that I would have never seen back then.
If you have kids, give them jobs and have them help! It helps when I have so many helpers now whom I can delegate the jobs to, and it helps get things done.
Dana highlights the importance of being patient with oneself, acknowledging the need to allow space for sadness or frustration. She welcomes questions about her daughter and encourages open dialogue, recognizing that understanding often comes through curiosity and conversation. Dana's openness and willingness to share her experiences reflect her commitment to fostering empathy and awareness.
I am on this medication (before). It helps manage it a little bit, but I'm still anxious. I'm still depressed. I'm still so glad the medication helps, but it's not the answer because it doesn't take away the issue.
Do it because you're angry or sad or don't feel like it. It is the hardest part of everyone's journey, whether that's regarding singing or eating vegetables. Whatever it might be, finding that inner drive and any motivation to do what you know is good for you. If you find that, that will give you all the power, because that’s when the ball starts rolling.
The first one is shifting your perspective, the second is rewiring your mind or the response to it, and the third is cultivating lasting relief. And in that first step, it's really one believing that change is possible.
Change is inevitable in our lives. It happens like the sun rises and sets. And yet, for some reason, we are shocked when there is change or things are different than we thought they could be.
It's like, go take a little break. Step back from it. Get fresh eyes and then come back again. Take a break in so many ways, not only for our kids. This is a beautiful gift to learn how to take breaks step back to refresh and then try again.
Things I've let go of and things I've shifted or changed. Hopefully, just one of them will be useful for you in your life, permitting you to just do your life. How you want to and what works for you and your family.