Episode 52: Building Trust and Setting Boundaries in Relationships: Spotting Red Flags and Slowing Down

Inspired to Thrive and Shine

Episode Overview:

Have you ever felt uneasy in a relationship but couldn’t quite put your finger on why? In this episode, Catlin and I continue exploring how narcissists manipulate even the most intelligent, capable people into toxic, trauma-bonded relationships. It’s something that happens more often than you’d think, especially when we’re vulnerable—whether from personal loss, loneliness, or life’s challenges.

Together with Catlin, we’ll dive into practical strategies for slowing down in the early stages of dating, learning to listen to your gut, and how important it is to set and maintain strong physical and emotional boundaries. We also cover red flags to watch out for, such as manipulation and charm, and how to stay grounded by connecting with your support system.

Key Takeaways:

💡 Slow Down: One of the most powerful dating strategies I’ve learned is to take things slowly. It’s easy to get swept away by charm or excitement, but pacing yourself allows time to see any red flags clearly before getting too emotionally invested.

💡 Trust is Earned, Not Given: Don’t give away your trust too soon. I’ve been in situations where sharing too much personal information early on clouded my judgment, so now I focus on earning that trust over time.

💡 Physical Boundaries Matter: It’s tempting to let things move quickly physically, but I’ve learned how important it is to maintain clear physical boundaries. Bonding hormones can cloud your judgment, so keeping those boundaries early on will help you think more clearly about your partner’s behavior.

💡 Gut Instincts Are Key: If you feel like something’s off, trust that feeling. I've ignored these signals in the past, and it’s always better to listen to your body’s instincts.

💡 Observe How They Treat Others: I can’t stress this enough—pay attention to how your partner treats family, pets, and friends. These little things speak volumes about a person’s true nature.

💡 Stay Connected with Your Support System: One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made is isolating myself from friends and family when in a relationship. Having a strong support system around you keeps you grounded and helps you see situations for what they really are.

Resources Mentioned:

📚 Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Additional Resources for Your Healing Journey:

Attracting Your Beloved

6 Reasons for Loving Yourself Ebook

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can always connect with me over on Instagram @thriveandshineco and @inspired_to_thrive_podcast, or send me a DM if this topic resonates with you.

What’s Coming Up:

In our next episode, we’ll discuss how to support friends or family members stuck in a narcissistic relationship. It’s not easy to see a loved one go through this, but with the right knowledge, you can be a pillar of strength for them. Stay tuned!

Stay Connected: Don’t miss out on upcoming episodes—follow me on Instagram @thriveandshineco for more insights and resources.

Let’s keep learning and growing together! 🎧✨