124. Unveiling Love and Relationship Codependency

In this episode of the Open Late Podcast, Drea Renee, your new host, shares her journey with love codependency and the process of rediscovering self-love. Returning to the studio, Drea delves into her personal history, tracing the origins of her love codependency to a childhood fascination with love and the challenges arising from her parents' divorce. Drea recounts experiences of navigating unhealthy relationships, grappling with boundary-setting issues, and neglecting self-care. She also thoroughly explores the signs of love codependency, including obsession, persistent validation seeking, and a fear of solitude. On the other hand, Drea highlights the emotional roller coaster of extreme highs and lows, the compromise of personal values, and the neglect of friendships and family. Throughout the episode, Drea encourages listeners to recognize these signs as the first step in a challenging yet crucial journey toward overcoming love codependency and fostering personal growth. In this Episode of Open Late: Introduction to Love Codependency Journey Childhood Impact on Love Views Unhealthy Relationship Patterns Recognizing Signs of Love Codependency Encouragement for Personal Growth Connect with Drea: • Instagram: @thedrearenee | @openlatethepodcast • Website: openlatepodcast.com  • YouTube: Open Late Podcast • Open Late Dictionary 8:10 It isn't easy to walk away, somebody can come up to you, huge red flag and this guy said to me “Drea, I don't want to be in a relationship” all I hear is a challenge, okay lets get it. - Drea Renee 10:08 My moment for me, my AHA moment was when I was driving late at night, I was crying hysterically. I had to be at work the next day. I had no sleep. I hadn't spoken to my friends or my family. All I wanted to do is get this guy to do what I wanted him to do, which was call me back, come see me, you know, whatever the thing is, text me back, whatever. And I thought to myself, I was like, wow, this is really taking over my life. - Drea Renee 11:04 When I'm in that space, I call her Agnes. And when Agnes comes out, it's just like, forget it. I mean, there really isn't anything that anyone can do. And that is how codependency works. It doesn't matter who's in your way. It doesn't matter what anybody says. You're gonna go do whatever you need to do to get that text, to get that person to see you, to get them to respond. - Drea Renee 12:53 That love codependency journey really started for me again when I was young and also me wanting to create this relationship that I didn't see with my parents. I just fell in love with this idea of love. And I still am in love with that idea of love, but it's more healthy now. - Drea Renee 16:11 Now I definitely have stayed in some relationships longer than I should have because I did not want to be alone I didn't want to get off work and come home to an empty house I didn't want the weekends to come and go to the farmers market by myself But at the end of the day and I used to hate hearing this. - Drea Renee 23:58 Do not take for granted getting entangled with someone. If you know you have a hard time letting people go, really stay vigilant and conscious of who are you attaching yourself to. - Drea Renee 27:48 I think being aware of your patterns when they become harmful, and they are interfering with your well-being and ability to live a balance life, that's where we can start from - Drea Renee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Open Late, a deep dive into all kinds of relationships. Let’s explore the multi-faceted, frequently misunderstood, dynamics of polyamory and being “open” even means. Weekly on this podcast, you’ll hear about my personal journey with Opening Up, and uncovering the deep and intricate layers of our hearts as expressed in the ways we love others and ourselves.    If you’re interested in relationships as a container for growth and deeper knowing of your truest self you’re in the right place. If you’re interested in adding more spice and sexiness to your life you’re also in the right place. Each episode we’ll share candid real-life experiences (and or stories), knowledge and tools to support you in creating your own relationship magic.   Open Late is for anyone who wants to explore with respect, curiosity, and deepen their self-awareness in order to create a conscious relationship whether you’re monogamous, ish, poly or dating everyone.