Relationships
Part 2 - Different types of relationship

How do you view the world at large? How do you interpret it? How do you engage with it? This includes everybody and everything: the world, your country, your community, the media, and more besides.

How we see ourselves in relation to the world, how well we know ourselves in general, and whether we like and care for ourselves. It also includes how the different parts of us relate to each other, and how our thoughts, feelings and actions interact with one other.

This includes our notions of our families as a whole, as well as our ties with each individual member. It could include our ancestors, our extended family, our parents and grandparents, our siblings, and our children, and grandchildren. As well as blood relatives, it could include anyone who is connected through marriage and partnerships, or anyone we identify as “family”, and it includes people both living and dead.

Everything connected to friendships, however you define them – short-lived, long-lasting, solid or superficial.

These concern closer and more personal ties. In order for us to love another, we need to put ourselves in a vulnerable position, but some people may be unable to form intimate relationships through fear of getting hurt in some way.

This encompasses everything to do with a lack or loss of companionship and friendship, although some people experience loneliness even while in relationships or in a group. Loneliness is a state of being, associated with isolation, depression and sadness.

If you’re unable to get the relationship that you want (or need), you are likely to try and make up for that lack by seeking a substitute. For some people the substitute can work out fine, while for others it can lead to addictions and destructive behaviours.

If you don’t get enough positive attention (strokes) from other people - say a compliment – you may strive for a negative stroke – such as getting told off: The idea being that any kind of attention is better than being ignored, or left out.

Are you comfortable in your own skin? Do you ever get a chance to explore the length and breadth of your body? Does your body like to move in certain ways? Do some bodies complement your body better than others?

These can be just as important, rewarding (and upsetting) as any other relationship.

Some objects carry much more significance than others, and they can exist in their own right or act as a symbol for something/someone else.

These can be mutually beneficial, equal, freeing, cooperative, nurturing and enriching.

These can be toxic, abusive, controlling, coercive and generally destructive. They can involve gas-lighting, conflicts, threats, violence and harm. The seeds of this discord may lay within your enemies, your frenemies, your parent, or indeed yourself.

This includes our relationship with any form of loss, death, estrangement, as well as notions about our own mortality.

Do you see power as a force for good or bad, or merely a neutral entity? Do you have power within yourself? and/or power when you are with other people? Do you experience having power over others, or others having power over you?