Living your needs within the (extended) family

I never want to swap back …!

Living your own needs within your own family (or in-laws) can be a big challenge. A hot topic that has certainly occupied many people, including me, for years. A moving and encouraging insight into my life.

• Can you live your needs within your (extended) family?
• Do you dare to say “no” sometimes? Even to invitations where the rest of the family is always there?
• Or do you “go along with a lot” just so the harmony isn’t disturbed?

My health impulse for you today:

Family is a place where you should feel comfortable. Where you can be as you are. That’s what I always wanted, but I couldn’t manage it … for years. A visit to my in-laws was absolute horror for me. Does that sound familiar? Can you be who YOU are in your family (your own family, parents, grandparents …)? Do you dare to voice your needs and live them?

I always had the feeling that I would never get out of it. I didn’t know how, either. I just felt small and weak. Not self-confident at all. Cancelling invitations was impossible – that’s just not done, is it? At least that’s what my mind thought. ;)

One day I reached the point where I simply didn’t want to go along with it all any more. I decided to be happy & free. Then I realised that I can indeed change the situation – so that I feel good. That may sound selfish to you now, but it isn’t. It’s YOUR life, and you have the right to change situations so that you find your centre again. Because YOU are the creator of your life!

There is one thing you should say goodbye to, however: the idea that everything always has to run harmoniously. Besides, harmony always has two sides: yours and your family’s. Both are equally important! Of course, at first the harmony between me and my in-laws was “disturbed”, but the more I stood up for myself again, the better our relationship became too! By the way, words/refusals don’t have to be harsh; they should be appreciative, clear and “phrased with love” – the way you would like to hear them yourself, so that a refusal can be taken well. ;)

My strength came back more and more. Never in my life would I have thought that I could change so much in my life – I simply wasn’t aware of it!

Personally, I now place even more value on paying attention to my needs within my family as well. For far too long I “bent over backwards” just to “belong” to my in-laws. I paid the price for that. Now I have a much more valuable “relationship” with my in-laws. I have become ME. Clear and honest, especially with myself. I never, ever want to swap back to my “old” life!

So I would like to encourage you to create your life within your family in such a way that you feel good about it too! Because if you feel good, it affects your relationship, your children, your work, your health – simply everything.

Dare to be yourself. That way you can inspire others to do the same.

Birgit Hufnagl

Health coach

• Why it is so important to live your needs within your (extended) family and to address stressful issues
• Why so many people don’t dare to voice their needs within the family or to say “no” sometimes
• What you can do if you have already tried a lot and nothing works any more

Enthusiastic prevention adviser for health

My enthusiasm for all topics that promote health and help to maintain it for longer has accompanied me all my life. I have been successfully applying everything that, for me, is part of a healthy lifestyle to myself and my family for years. At the very top is a healthy, natural diet – and of course mental health!

Let’s work on your health together.

The great benefit for you:

• More time for yourself
• A feeling of freedom through self-determined action
• You need medical help less and less often
• Mental strength helps you “discharge” conflicts immediately
• You can manage to avoid around 80% of all illnesses
• You can enjoy a much easier & more relaxed life
• Healthier children who are not constantly ailing

Who am I?

I originally come from the beautiful upper Mühlviertel and have been living in Vienna with my husband for 13 years. It has always been my great passion to accompany people in crises, simply to listen and to encourage them to try new paths too.