Emotional Nutrients

Identifying high vibrational triggers.

To build a solid relational life, the first step is not to look outward, but to take a thorough inventory of what raises our own emotional frequency.

Often, we expect our partner to be the exclusive provider of our joy, which is a formula for dependency and frustration.

The concept of "Emotional Nutrients" refers to identifying with surgical precision what activities, themes, environments and sensory stimuli place us in a state of natural flow and happiness.

It is critical to understand that what nourishes us is a unique fingerprint; there are no wrong responses, only authentic responses.

Imagine one person recharging her batteries by tending an urban vegetable garden in silence, while another needs the adrenaline of intense intellectual debate to feel alive.

If the first person ignores her need for silence and nature to please a noisy partner, she will wither emotionally.

This process of self-discovery involves listing from the trivial to the profound: What literary genre sparks your imagination? What kind of landscape restores your peace? By having clarity on these elements, we can self-administer doses of well-being without relying on third parties.

In addition, sharing this "love list" with a partner is a playful and safe way to invite them into our inner world, making it easier for them to love us the way we really need to be loved.

The personal operations and maintenance manual

Beyond tastes, there is a more pragmatic dimension of self-knowledge: the "Care and Feeding" list.

Just as a high-end vehicle or an exotic plant comes with precise instructions for maintenance, every human being has specific operational requirements to function optimally.

Ignoring these biological and psychological needs leads to states of irritability and exhaustion that inevitably damage our relationships.

This subpoint focuses on defining which practices are non-negotiable in order to maintain balance, health and mental clarity.

For example, someone may require complete disconnection from screens an hour before bedtime to avoid insomnia and moodiness the next day.

Or perhaps, for another person, structure and advance planning are vital to reduce anxiety, while their partner thrives on improvisation.

Identifying these needs ;how much alone time is required, what type of communication is preferable (text vs. voice), or what morning rituals are sacred; allows for clear and healt