EPISODE 068 | Tips for Nurturing Relationships through Emotional Baggage
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On the surface, this episode is all about parent-child relationships that grow and blossom into mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships. However, that discussion is the vehicle to get at what’s underneath nurturing your important relationships through the emotional baggage that accumulates through the change of life and then surfaces in those relationships.
By natural design, life is full of change, and that means our relationships are also full of change because relationships are a focal point of human existence. Change can cause bliss and pain and a number of emotions in between. As humans, our ability or inability to process emotions about change in our lives causes emotional baggage and we take that with us into our present moment. We all do it.
This episode is important because it comes at a time when we’ve been in constant transition for a year and there might be more accumulation of baggage there than you’re used to.
That’s why Meg Smidt, a certified life and business coach who’s been at it for a decade is on the show this week.
This episode is a gold mine of advice not only based on over a decade of her coaching experience but is also based on her personal life experience. She really digs deep into her own story with transitioning from a successful retail career into being a mom to five nearly overnight and blending into a life and family she loves. As we go through Meg’s wisdom, she and I span the spectrum of emotions as we crack up laughing and quietly nearly cry.
That’s because we talked about everything from recognizing baggage and nurturing our loved ones through their own, but also how you know when it’s time to let go.
Meg’s tangible tips that she sprinkles like confetti throughout are just as wide-ranging - she gives advice on how to accept your loved ones for who they truly are, letting go of control, leading with honor in complex interactions, having fun in commonality, having consistency, setting boundaries, navigating change, and the importance of reflecting, feeling grief, and growing through what you’re going through.
UPDATE, March 2024: The free tip sheet is no longer available.
Episode Highlights
Getting to know Meg Smidt
How business, marriage, and momming all came together
Dealing with abandonment issues and changing identities
Meeting the kids where they were
Why relationships are so complex
The role of distraction
The importance of not keeping score
Intentionality and letting go of the past
Tangible steps to nurture relationships with your children as kids and adults
Becoming a mother-in-law
Focusing on accepting your people for who they are
How to react when someone lashes out through limited perspective
How to lead with honor
The evolution of Meg’s mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship
Having fun in commonality
Consistency
Boundary setting
Navigating change
Being direct and dealing with issues head on
The importance of reflecting, grieving, and growing through the process.
Meg gives us a concrete example of going to a deep, dark place even though it was uncomfortable.
Grieving changing relationships, even if platonic
How women do relationships differently than men
Knowing when it’s time to let go of relationships vs. keep working at them
The importance of knowing and embracing who you are at your core
About Meg
Meg Smidt is a confetti-throwing life and creative business coach, mother, sister, devoted friend and love-spreader. She is super passionate about helping driven and compassionate women create balanced, joy-filled, intentional lives that they love (and that love them back). She spends her days strategizing with and encouraging women all over the world to be their very best. Coach Meg lives in St Louis, MO. with her husband, one of her five adult kids and 2 silly, deaf great danes and loves shopping + adventuring local!
Links
How to Grow Through Grief When Life Keeps Changing Around You (Meg and Brandi Chat on Mondays with Meg)
Mothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law: Yes You CAN Get Along! (Meg and Chelsea’s article on the St. Louis Mom blog)
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