Communicating with your ex: relationship tips I’ve learned from a six pound chihuahua.
Inspiration comes in funny places sometimes. One of my best relationship coaches is my chihuahua. Pound for pound, she’s got some great nonverbal communications we can all learn from.
She’s six pounds at most, but Custard my Chihuahua could teach us all a few things about how to handle yourself in a big, scary world. And what’s bigger, and scarier than finding yourself in the middle of a divorce? Here’s a few communication tips we can all use on dealing with your ex.
1. Stand Your Ground. When we are out for our daily walk, we routinely come across much bigger dogs, Custard doesn’t cower or run in fear. She stands her ground, even though they are twice her size. She’s not backing down. Just like her, we have to stand up for ourselves even when we might feel like running.
2. Sometimes You Have to Bite When these big dogs get too close to her, she warns them by baring her teeth and growling. Most of the time, they back off. But if they don’t, she will bite. I think that in a divorce, as women, we are often afraid of using our strength. We have to get comfortable being “mean”, especially when we are protecting ourselves.
3. Let Them Know How You Really Feel. The other day, I left Custard alone for a few hours and she didn’t like it at all. How did she communicate her displeasure? She took a nice, big poop right in the middle of my bed. How’s that for saying how you feel? I’m not advocating using bowel movements in lieu of emails, but we have to clearly communicate our anger and our disappointment, no matter the consequences
If Custard the Chihuahua can stare down a Great Dane then surely we can use some of her tips to maneuver our own Big Dogs. So find your inner Chihuahua; be brave, attack when you must, and if all else fails, just poop on it.
xoxo-Rosie