What To Do When Your Spouse Is Holding You Back

Does it feel like your spouse is holding you back from living your life’s purpose?

It’s a tricky spot: you’re feeling called to explore and live out your life purpose, yet the person you share your life with doesn’t seem to understand or support your journey. Maybe it’s not that they’re completely against it, but they bring up negative comments or act as a barrier to your growth. For anyone trying to live authentically, this can be a challenging roadblock.

So, what’s the best way to handle this?

When your life purpose is met with resistance.

In the Unlock Your Life Purpose course, I get to help members navigate their journey to living their truest selves, even when that journey faces obstacles. Recently, on a coaching call, someone asked, “What do you do if your spouse is holding you back from living your life purpose, not being supportive, etc.?”

This is such a meaningful question because, for many people, the desire to live your purpose is often met with resistance from loved ones. But let’s explore what that resistance may actually represent and how to open up a path to understanding.

What if your spouse’s opposition is actually a mirror?

Sometimes, when a spouse seems to hold you back, their resistance could be mirroring unresolved fears within you. Ask yourself, “What part of me is showing up as my spouse?” If their doubts mirror your own underlying fears or insecurities, then it’s possible that the journey inward could bring the answers you’re seeking.

For example, if you feel inadequate or unsure about the steps needed to live your purpose, these feelings might be reflected in your spouse’s words or attitude. This exercise in self-reflection could reveal that part of their resistance aligns with areas you’re still working through. Take this as an invitation to process those feelings and, in doing so, remove the power they hold over you.

How to approach this with compassion and clarity.

Another helpful approach? Have an honest, heartfelt conversation with your spouse about what this purpose means to you. You might discover they’re unaware of the significance or depth it holds for you. Be open, share your “why,” and allow them to express their fears. This can turn resistance into a powerful moment of understanding.

If you’re familiar with Energy Profiling, consider how your and your spouse’s Energy Types might affect your communication. In Mastering Affluence, I go over a process for creating affluent, supportive relationships, which includes a simple structure for setting up healthy conversations. Additionally, our Dressing Your Truth Lifestyle has a full course on relationships and communication tailored to your Energy Types. These resources can guide you in approaching your spouse in a way that respects both your needs.

2 Steps to Begin Resolving Resistance in Your Relationship

1. Reflect on what their resistance might mirror in you. What fears or hesitations do you have that could be showing up through them? Sometimes, these reflections help us get to the heart of our own blocks and bring clarity to the situation.
2. Invite them to a heart-to-heart conversation. Be open about what this purpose means to you, and encourage them to share their concerns. Bringing in Energy Profiling tools can help you feel heard and understood.

Your life purpose is too valuable to let resistance hold you back.

Want more support on your journey?

In the Coaching Call, I cover more questions like this, and I even guide a live guest through exploring where her energy type and personal fears might be affecting her ability to live her purpose. Watch the recording here.

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Bless you,