Getting on the Same Page Before Marriage

Before making the commitment to get engaged, it’s important for you and your partner to be on the same page! Have an open and honest conversation about what you both want for your relationship in the future. 

Some things you may discuss include:

  • What are your expectations for one another and for the relationship? 
  • Do you want kids? If so, how do you want to raise them? 
  • Where do you want to live? 
  • What are your dreams for the future and how will you support one another in those dreams? 
  • How will you manage your finances? 
  • What does healthy communication and conflict resolution look like in your relationship?
  • How will you handle life challenges? 
  • How will you manage relationships with extended family, especially during moments of conflict?

These are just some questions you may discuss with your partner when deciding if marriage is what you want and if you’re ready to get engaged. Remember, this conversation will look different for every couple, and it won’t just be a one-time thing. It’s important to keep the conversation about the future of your relationship open and ongoing as you and your partner continue to move through life together.

2.6.2020: Lived Experiences Professional Training: Overcoming Domestic Violence

Domestic violence impacts thousands of people in Guilford County each year. The dynamics of abusive relationships are complex, and the process of overcoming past abuse can be both challenging and empowering. Join HRI and the Guilford County Family Justice Center for this opportunity to learn from survivors of past abuse as they share their stories and insights into how professionals can best serve community members who are impacted by current or past abuse.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 6, 2020 from 9-11 AM at the Guilford County Family Justice Center Auditorium (201 S. Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. The backup date in the event of inclement weather is Thursday, February 20th from 9-11 AM.

This professional training is part of Guilford County’s Abuse is Never Okay Campaign. To learn more about the collaborative campaign to end violence in Guilford County, please visit www.neverokayguilford.org. Learn more about the Lived Experiences Professional Training seminars at www.guilfordhri.org/livedexperiences.

Light refreshments will be served and advanced registration is required as space is limited. Please direct questions about this event to HRI Program Coordinator, Camila Dos Santos, at c_dossan@uncg.edu.

Click here to register. 

 

Preparing for a Healthy Engagement: Series Intro

You and your partner have been dating for a while and things are starting to get more serious. You’ve been talking about what your future with one another looks like and marriage is in the picture. Maybe you’re thinking about getting engaged now, in the near future, or a bit later down the line. Regardless of what your timeline may look like, it’s important to continue to build and strengthen your relationship both prior to and after you get engaged. 

Engagement is a wonderful opportunity to continue to develop healthy relationship skills and work toward a healthy marriage in the future. Throughout the next several days, HRI will be sharing tips to help you and your partner prepare for a healthy engagement that will strengthen your relationship and lead to a happy and healthy marriage!

Recovering from DV: Patience & Grace

By Eleanor Beeslaar

Recovering from abuse and trauma takes time. Healing is not an overnight process, and it is filled with ups and downs. If you notice yourself having a bad day or are feeling stuck, try your best to refrain from negative self-judgements. Be kind to yourself. You deserve grace and patience. 

Every survivor has their own timeline for recovery. Know that it’s okay to take your time and every victory, no matter how big or small, is a step towards growth, progress, and healing. You have already come so far, and your strength and courage will continue to carry you forward as you move through your process of recovery.

An important piece of giving yourself grace and patience is engaging in self-care. Take time out of your day to take care of yourself. Reflect on the things that bring you joy and nourish your soul. Some examples of self-care include reading books or engaging in quiet reflection, going on a walk, exercising, talking to friends, or listening to music. Remember, self-care looks different for everyone and is unique to each person’s circumstances, interests, and needs. Find what works best for you!

Recovering from DV: A Vision for the Future

By Eleanor Beeslaar

Rebuilding your life after leaving an abusive relationship can be scary and challenging, but it can also be an exciting opportunity to rediscover your passions and develop a new path for your future. Take this time to get to know yourself and build a life you are proud of. You deserve to be happy and lead a joy-filled life!

Engaging in self-reflection can help you identify goals and develop a vision for your future. Think about what is important to you and where you would like to see yourself in the next year, 5 years, 10 years, etc. Some questions you can ask yourself to spark this process are:

  • What are your passions and dreams? 
  • Where would you like to live? 
  • Do you have a vision for your education or career? 
  • What are your goals for personal growth and development? 
  • How do you see yourself now and how would you like to see yourself moving forward? 
  • What do you need to feel safe?
  • What do you want your support system to look like?
  • Who in your life do you value?
  • What impact do you want to make on the world around you?
  • What gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life?

Once you have identified your dreams and goals for your future, start establishing a plan to work toward this vision. This may look like identifying small steps you can take to accomplish your larger goals and dreams. It may also involve adjusting some of your goals to be more realistic and feasible for your current life context, while keeping in mind that over time, this may change as you continue to build yourself up. 

Keep in mind that your goals and vision may change over time, and that is okay. If you hit bumps in the road, give yourself grace and remember that progress and growth take time. You are strong and capable of rebuilding your life!