November is a month of the scales of karma coming into balance. We are walking toward the end of this year at full speed as an active, expansive, and transformative month is ahead of us. A lot is happening in the stars in November, and many different aspects of life will be influenced by this energy, especially when it comes to your financial and emotional worlds.
Eclipse Season is officially over, but now we enter some significant astrological transits and retrogrades of the year. November is all about finding your balance between the powerful changes occurring and the intentions you are creating. The month begins in Scorpio Season and with a New Moon in Scorpio on November 1. This New Moon is bringing transformations and new beginnings when it comes to intimacy, emotional connections, shared resources, and your financial reality.
This is a good New Moon to set your intentions for the commitments you want to build and sustain over the next month and where in your life you want to feel a renewed sense of empowerment. This New Moon is here to be a catalyst for what is next for you, and this will be an especially transformative time for finances.
Exploring the November Cosmos: Key Transits & Transformations
On November 2, Mercury enters Sagittarius where it will be until January 8, 2025. This is a significant Mercury transit as Mercury will be in this fire sign for a while and will be going retrograde in Sag from Nov. 25 until Dec. 15. Mercury in Sagittarius is bold, outspoken, self-confident, and open-minded. This is an active and, at times, aggressive Mercury sign, and in retrograde, it's best to consider having even more patience with others than usual when it comes to communication matters.
Mercury in Sagittarius acts from thought alone, and while sometimes this can be inspiring, during retrograde, it backfires. This Mercury transit is all about getting inspired, considering all options and solutions, and moving forward intentionally.
Mars enters Leo on November 3, and another significant transit occurs. Mars will be in Leo until Jan. 6, 2025, and will be retrograde from Dec. 6 until Feb. 23, 2025. Mars in Leo is creative, passionate, enlivened, and self-empowered. While Mars is direct in this sign, this is a great time to put yourself out there, honor your skills, talents, and authenticity in life, and do something bold.
Throughout November, Mars will be direct, and this will be the best time within the next few months to advocate for yourself and support your dreams, as once Mars is retrograde, there may be some more obstacles here. Overall, Mars entering Leo in November is the passion and self-love we need to fuel the inspiration and empowerment this Scorpio Season is bringing.
Saturn goes direct in Pisces on Nov. 15 after being retrograde since late June, and we have a Supermoon in Taurus on the same day. Mid-November is bringing in closure, but also the love that comes from healing. Saturn now being direct makes the head and the heart feel a little clearer, and this is also a better time for creativity and inspiration.
With a Full Moon happening on the same day, we are wrapping up a chapter in love as we commit to something deeper right now. With the Sun in Scorpio and the Moon in Taurus, relationship matters are highlighted, and much-needed clarity, forgiveness, and acceptance are here during this time.
Pluto enters Aquarius on Nov. 19 and will remain here until 2043, and we begin a new generation and collective energy. This is one of the most important transits of the year, and its influence will be felt on a larger scale over the years to come.
Pluto in Aquarius brings transformations to the community and the world at large, and there will be a rebirth and a coming together in the world. Pluto, in this air sign, feels empowered to connect and bring greater equality and progress overall. Sagittarius Season begins on Nov. 21, and we end the month ready for some excitement.
This Sag Season is starting slower while Mercury will be retrograde, but there is a sense that there is a lot to look forward to and gratitude to embrace right now.
Read for your sun and rising sign below to see what November has in store for you:
What November 2024 Has In Store For Your Zodiac Sign
AriesKyra Jay for xoNecoleARIES
November is a month of opportunities for you, Aries. You are being recognized for the work you have done and the skills you have, and this is the time to put your best foot forward. You are claiming your abundance this month, and with a New Moon in your 8th house at the start of November, this is a good time for seeing new beginnings within your financial world, business partnerships, and the commitments you are making in this area of your life.
On Nov. 25, Mercury goes retrograde in Sagittarius, and being retrograde in a fellow fire sign means you are going to be feeling this retrograde a little more so than others.
For you personally, this isn’t the best time for travel matters or for taking any unnecessary risks, and you should focus on going within more over the next few weeks as life adjusts around you. Before November comes to an end, a Supermoon is occurring in another financial area of your life and what you were intending for financially at the beginning of the month is coming full circle for you now in positive ways.
TaurusKyra Jay for xoNecoleTAURUS
You are feeling inspired, passionate, and happy this month, Taurus. This is a beautiful month for you and a time when you are feeling confident about where life is and what is next for you. You are building the magic in your world and the New Moon happening on the first day of the month is when you are recognizing how capable, loved, and supported you are in life. The beginning of November is all about finding your balance and setting your intentions in life and in love.
On Nov. 11, your ruling planet, Venus, enters your 9th house, and this is a great time for you to enjoy a joyful, romantic, and exciting love. You require a little more freedom emotionally this month and you want enough space to be, explore, and learn, and you are having fun doing so. The stars align for you as the month ends, as we have a Supermoon in your sign on Nov. 15.
This Supermoon is the closing of one chapter, and the clarity of another, as you can see yourself and your path forward a little clearer now.
GeminiKyra Jay for xoNecoleGEMINI
November is reminding you to let it go, Gemini. A lot is coming to the forefront of your life this month, and it can feel heavy to address it all at once. The month begins with your ruling planet, Mercury, entering your 7th house of love, and you are thinking a lot about your role in some of the relationships in your life, what makes you feel at peace within them, and where you may be giving more than you have to give.
It’s about asking for what you need right now, as once Mercury goes retrograde at the end of the month, it will feel more difficult to find that understanding here.
A Full Moon is happening in your 12th house of closure, healing, dreams, spirituality, and secrets on Nov. 15, and this Full Moon is bringing up a lot of emotions. This month is about acceptance and not putting things on the backburner anymore, and emotionally, you are clearing out some cobwebs of past experiences and relationships. Overall, there is a lot to work through this month, but you are ready to finally do so and to move forward for good.
CancerKyra Jay for xoNecoleCANCER
November is about taking care of yourself, your health, and your overall well-being, Cancer. This month is reminding you of the disruptions that can come from overthinking and showing you a way out of some unhealthy attachments or coping mechanisms. You are entering the month with a New Moon in a fellow water sign, and this is a good time for you to think about the things and people who make you happy, how you can honor your passions, creativity, and interests more, and to set your intentions for the love you want surrounding you now.
Venus, the planet of love, enters your 7th house of partnership from Nov. 11 until Dec. 7, and this is bringing a coming together for you romantically. Opportunities in love are presenting themselves, and it’s all about knowing that what you seek is seeking you, too, right now, and not overwhelming yourself or self-sabotaging things here with old insecurities. There is a Supermoon in Taurus before the month ends on Nov. 15, and this is allowing your heart to let go of doubting your dreams and intentions and embracing the magic you bring to the world and others.
LeoKyra Jay for xoNecoleLEO
November is all about perspective, Leo. This is the month to focus more on gratitude and intention so that you don’t let anything disrupt your peace or happiness. On Nov. 2, Mercury enters your 5th house of romance where it will be into 2025, and there is a lot to think about when it comes to love right now. With the Sun also in your 4th house of home and family for most of this month, your focus is on the love and people around you and how you can feel more supported and uplifted here.
One of the most important transits of the year for you happens at the beginning of November, and that is Mars entering Leo from Nov. 3 until Jan. 6.
Mars in your sign brings extra energy, passion, motivation, and direction in life, and this is going to be a good month for you to get things done, reinvent yourself, and focus on your personal goals and path. You are entering a space in life where you are learning to be a little bit more selfish with your time for your peace of mind and health while also nurturing the relationships you want to continue to build.
VirgoKyra Jay for xoNecoleVIRGO
This month is about using your voice, Virgo. Communication matters hold prominence for you in November, and you are getting your message across right now. With the Sun in your 3rd house of communication for most of the month and a New Moon here on the first day of November, you have a lot of new ideas to gain and perspectives to consider, and you are finding your power within the clarity you are receiving now. You are exuding inner peace and confidence in November, and you are not to be messed with this month, Virgo.
On Nov. 11, Venus enters your 5th house of romance for the next few weeks, and love is flowing through your world in a new and more secure way. You are focused on your passions, happiness, and interests and are looking for new ways to feel more stability and abundance here. Before the month ends, we have a Supermoon in Taurus, and this Full Moon is bringing things full circle for you mentally. You are gaining an inspiration you have forgotten and are embracing honesty, spirituality, and contentment right now.
LibraKyra Jay for xoNecoleLIBRA
This is a month of focusing on your values and priorities and grounding your energy, Libra. A lot of your energy is going towards your finances in November, as this area of your life is more prominent for you around this time of the year. The New Moon on Nov. 1 is a great time to set your intentions for your financial abundance, create a new income plan, and ask for what you need within financial matters.
This month is reminding you that you are worthy of the things you are asking for and that you don’t have to change who you are to receive them.
Venus enters your 4th house of stability mid-month, and this will help you fully grasp your reality financially and emotionally right now. You are building beauty, peace, and acceptance in your home life, and this is a good time to spruce up the home, create safe spaces, and connect with family or your roots. Mercury goes retrograde before the month ends and will be retrograde in an area of your life that has to do with the mind and communication.
Remember that not everyone is going to understand you or your perspective, but that doesn't mean you don't have the right idea about something.
ScorpioKyra Jay for xoNecoleSCORPIO
Scorpio Season is here, and it’s time to bring some more magic into your life, Scorpio. You are thinking clearly and powerfully this month and are connecting with all the right people. With a New Moon in your sign on the first day of November, you are walking into the month feeling an empowerment and renewal that will take you far, and you have all the tools you need to succeed right now. This is your month to move full speed ahead and to remember the power of your voice.
Mid-month, we have a Supermoon in your sister sign Taurus, fueling a new understanding of love. You are seeing gifts and clarity being reflected to you now within your relationships, and some real progress is likely within your one-on-one partnerships overall this month. On Nov. 15, Saturn goes direct in Pisces after being retrograde here for the past five months, and you are ready to experience more bliss when it comes to romance, passions, hobbies, children, and your self-expression.
You have less weight on your shoulders right now, and new paths are opening up for you to embrace and find security in your happiness.
SagittariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleSAGITTARIUS
Dreams are coming true for you in November, Sagittarius. This month is an opening for you and a time to set your sights high. The Sun is in your 12th house of closure for most of the month, but the closures you are moving through are closing out chapters that bring you more reward than anything. You get to enjoy the success of your endeavors and are emotionally moving into a space of fulfillment right now.
With Mercury entering your sign as the month begins on Nov. 2 until Jan. 8, your mind is especially active now, and there is a lot to think about and get inspired by.
Sagittarius Season officially begins on Nov. 21, and it’s your time to shine! It’s all about embracing the things that make you unique and allowing love to come to fruition for you through grace and patience. Mercury goes retrograde in your sign from Nov. 25 until Dec. 15, and some old miscommunications or misunderstandings may be coming around for you again to address and heal from as the month ends.
This Mercury retro is about being kinder to yourself and giving yourself and others time most of all.
CapricornKyra Jay for xoNecoleCAPRICORN
November is about choosing your battles wisely, Capricorn. Not everything needs a reaction, and you are recognizing when and where you need to put your energy right now. The New Moon on the first day of the month will be giving you clarity on the friendships and community in your life that need addressing, and this is a good time to set your intentions for your future here and what you want to manifest for yourself in regards to the support and love you receive in your life.
Venus enters your sign from Nov. 11 until Dec. 7, and you are ready to feel the romance you have been seeking as of late. Venus in your sign brings greater love, harmony, and beauty into your life, and your power of attraction is especially strong right now. Self-love is what is holding prominence for you now, as you show others an example of how to treat you by the way you are treating yourself.
Before the month ends, your ruling planet Saturn goes direct in your 3rd house of communication, and you are overcoming and healing from some mental obstacles that may have been playing out these past few months.
AquariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleAQUARIUS
This month is about moving on and moving forward, Aquarius. You are choosing yourself and your peace as you continue into your dream reality. There is a letting go you are moving through emotionally in November, but this is long overdue as you close out some old chapters in your life. With Venus in your 12th house of endings, closure, secrets, dreams, and healing for most of this month, your heart needs time to process right now. It’s about knowing what you deserve and not settling for anything less.
Saturn, one of your planetary rulers goes direct on the 15th after being retrograde since June, and your finances see a positive turnaround during this time.
Saturn has been helping you build stability financially, but may also have given you some tough lessons in the process. Now that Saturn is direct, you have more opportunities to grow than just dream. Pluto enters your sign on Nov. 19, before the month ends, where it will remain for the next 20 years or so. This is a very significant transit for the world, but for you especially, and you are entering a time of greater empowerment, self-recognition, and support from others.
PiscesKyra Jay for xoNecolePISCES
November is a month of abundance, success, and fulfillment for you, Pisces. You have a lot to look forward to right now, and you are walking through some new doors of opportunities. The New Moon on Nov. 1, is a good time for you to set your intentions for what adventures you want to go on, what you want guidance on, and what new people you want to connect with, as you are in a good space to manifest and to receive some extra good luck right now.
Saturn then goes direct in your sign on Nov. 15, after being retrograde here since June. This is huge news for you and a time for you to fully embrace the power and magic of your existence and build up some new dreams as well. There will be a Supermoon in Taurus that occurs that same day, and you are ready to let go of what doesn't serve you or your mental health and are focused on progress more than loss. You have a lot of good going for you right now, and life is magical for you this month, Pisces.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image: Kyra Jay for xoNecole
RELATED
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock
Not to mention the fact that so many folks literally don’t read (you know, past skimming) anymore — and yes, I have stats to prove it. I recently read that back in 2022, reportedly, a little over 48 percent of people read one book over the course of that entire year (that is not a good thing and proves that book reading is on a steady decline). Meanwhile, the amount of time that is spent on social media: 2.5 hours on a daily basis. That’s 150 minutes of listening to folks just say…whatever. And if you listen to it long enough, you could actually start believing it as gospel.
This includes what I am going to touch on today: the belief that if someone really cares about you, they should constantly reassure you. Y’all damn near are gonna have me join the world of social media again, just to address this one fallacy. For now, though, I’ll settle for making some points via this article — because as you can see from the title, I don’t agree with that conclusion at all.
In fact, I personally believe that thinking this way is a pretty big relational orange — if not red — flag.
Reassurance. And What It Does for a Child.
GiphyIf you’ve read enough of my content, you know that I am big on word definitions — and when it comes to the word “reassurance,” the meaning alone explains why this article has the title that it does:
Reassurance: something, such as information, praise, or an action or gesture, that soothes, comforts, or restores to confidence
Reassurance restores confidence. Bookmark that, please. I will certainly circle back to that point before I am done.
Okay, so when it comes to, say a child, there is absolutely a place for reassurance. That’s because they are still in the process of significant self-development and so they need reassurance in order to feel safe, secure and loved. It’s also a way for them to establish trust in others.
However, did you know that many mental health experts say that if a child deals with, say anxiety, constant reassurance can actually be counterproductive because they can start to rely on external validation to emotionally stabilize them instead of learning how to remain calm and relaxed on their own (yeah, bookmark that too)? Some other ways that constant reassurance can become potentially problematic is it can cause kids to create problems that don’t exist, to overthink and to jump to the wrong conclusions (hmm…very interesting).
And so, already, we’re seeing something pretty interesting, right? Although reassurance has its place, too much of it, even for kids, typically ends up doing more harm than good.
Let’s keep building.
How 'Lack' As a Child Can Manifest As an Adult
GiphyOkay, so we just touched on how constant reassurance can be counterproductive for an anxious child. Now what about when that child grows up? If they never learned how to properly and effectively deal with their anxiety, what then? Well, this is where attachment styles can very easily come into play — especially since one of them is literally called “anxious attachment style.”
Anxious attachment style is rooted in insecurity. It typically stems from experiencing the type of dysfunctional upbringing that resulted in one or both parents being unpredictable or inconsistent in their caregiving approach and techniques. As a result, the child deals with things like fear of abandonment or rejection and, without healing from that, they become an adult who is pretty much the exact same way.
In relationships, it can manifest in them being extra clingy, codependent, super jealous, controlling or — catch it — someone who is always looking for validation and reassurance.
Hmph. Did you catch that? Did you really catch that? Needing constant reassurance in a relationship IS NOT something that should automatically come with a relationship. In fact, if you’re someone who has this type of need or even expectation, there’s a really good chance that what you actually need is therapy — not for your partner to work harder to make you feel better about yourself or the relationship.
Which brings me to my next point.
Relationships Can Be Therapeutic. They Aren’t Therapy, Though.
GiphySomething that some of my clients will tell you that they’ve heard me say, more than once I might add is, “PARENT and PARTNER are not palindromes.” A palindrome is a word (line, sentence, etc.) that is the same whether it is spelled backwards or forwards — and while, of course, parent and partner couldn’t qualify as being that, what I mean is there are far too many people who think that partners should pick up where parents left off and/or dropped the ball — and that is a super unhealthy approach to relationships. Come to think of it, not only is it unhealthy but really unfair as well.
This is exactly why I’m not big on phrases like “the princess treatment” in adult relationships. A princess is the daughter of a king while a queen is the wife of one. For a grown woman to expect a man to do what a father did for her as a child without accepting that as an adult, there are far more responsibilities as a wife that comes into play? Yep, that is toxic thinking.
And you know what? So is expecting your partner to overcompensate for where your father and/or mother didn’t show up in the way that they should have. That is not your partner’s fault, their role or their assignment while dating you. If you feel otherwise, it really is time to speak with a professional who can help you to do a bit of “reprogramming” in your thinking because, for you to feel and/or assume that since your parents didn’t make you feel confident and secure or teach you how to value yourself, your partner should work overtime to make up for it? There is not one thing that is healthy, mature or emotionally solid about having that type of mindset.
And that is why I am also good for saying that, although relationships can be therapeutic (healing), they should never EVER be seen as therapy. Therapists are trained to deal with the mental and emotional challenges that people have. On the other hand, no one should expect their partner to have the knowledge and expertise that professionals do — and while we’re here, partners also shouldn’t trust that someone who needs the assistance of a therapist to become whole (again) would know exactly what steps are required for that to happen.
So yeah, if you’re someone who thinks that being loved means that someone needs to constantly make you feel good about yourself or secure in the relationship — you probably do have an anxious attachment style. See a professional to get that confirmed, though. Because no one should have to make you feel valued or worthy. That is an inside job.
And this brings me to my final point.
It’s Not Fair to Want Someone to Love You More than You Do
GiphyFor this last point, something that Christ once said immediately comes to mind:
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:16-18 — NKJV)
A lot of times, Christ spoke in parables because it was easier for people to get where he was coming from (Matthew 13:13). Anyway, along these lines, what would be the point in pouring a liquid into a bottle that has a hole in it? It’s not built to contain and maintain the fluid and so, no matter how delicious the drink may be, no matter how many times it’s poured into the bottle, the bottle is never going to remain full — because it has cracks in it.
BOOKMARK THAT.
My fourth baby’s daddy (check out “Why I Named The Children I Aborted”), while we were in the process of our “exit interview” (which is what I choose to call it) of our dynamic, he said something that has always stayed with me: “Shellie, your biggest problem is you receive compliments are revelations when they should be seen as confirmations.” Hmph. The irony of HIM saying that is kind of a trip and yet, at the time when we were experiencing each other, he was exactly right. I should’ve never had such a low sense of self-worth that whatever a man said to me had me so in awe that I either felt extremely grateful or became super addicted to his validation.
And y’all, that is exactly what needing constant reassurance looks like — because why does someone need to keep telling you that you are beautiful, keep saying that you are wonderful, keep letting you know that they want to be with you — keep restoring your confidence in yourself and in your relationship with them?
In other words, why should they work harder at making you feel good about yourself and solid in your relationship than you are willing to? Isn’t that just like pouring liquid into a broken bottle?
There is someone in my family tree who I had to distance myself from because he kept venting to me about his marriage and the fact that his wife was just like this. Sadly, it was never (and I do mean NEVER) enough that he chose her — whenever she felt some type of way about herself, here she came looking for him to fill her voids. After a couple of years of the nonstop needs for reassurance, he was worn out from doing it and I was exhausted from hearing about it. He was too scared to call her out and she was too unaccountable to get the real help that she needed. Whew. Toxic on top of toxic.
So Shellie, what are you saying — that we shouldn’t expect compliments, affirmations, support and encouragement in our relationships? Chile, if that is what you got out of this, you are choosing to think that way because that couldn’t be further from where I am coming from.
Again, you’ve got to remember what reassurance means: it’s about restoring confidence. A compliment is “an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration” yet if you already know that you are pretty, smart, funny, whatever, someone telling you that isn’t “building your confidence;” it’s cosigning on something that you are already aware of. Encouragement is about inspiring or stimulating someone and so yes, of course, the right partner is going to want to see you win in life and so they are going to offer up influence and motivation to help you — but what if they aren’t there?
Shouldn’t you be able to encourage yourself? ABSOLUTELY. However, expecting them to restore your confidence due to things that have nothing to do with them or because you simply lack self-confidence? That is not how relationships are to go. If you aren’t sure of yourself (which is a foundational definition of confident), get to the root of why and then figure what you need to do to become sure — that way, your partner doesn’t have to constantly “fill you up;” actually, what they do will be surplus instead of void-filling because your “bottle” will be unbroken.
____
I’m telling you, if you pay attention to the relationship side of socials, at least twice a day, someone will talk about how they think that a relationship should entail receiving constant reassurance. Lies on top of lies. No one should think that love means trying to make someone else feel sure about themselves because they don’t know how to do so on their own.
And this is why I say that expecting constant reassurance is an orange, if not red, flag.
Because when you already feel good about yourself, there is no need.
And if you don’t, figuring out how to is an inside job — FIRST.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Shutterstock