•How old are you and how familiar are you with RPW? 35 years old and really new to RPW (6 weeks)
•What is your relationship status? Married
•What is the problem? (Don’t badmouth your SO!) The problem is me and not knowing how to be vulnerable. I'm having trouble letting down my walls (high dominance). My mom wasn't and still isn't vulnerable and I don't make friends easily so I don't know what being vulnerable looks like. I realize if I knew how to be vulnerable I would most likely have more friends. My problem is displaying vulnerability outwardly.
•How have you contributed to the problem? I'm a controlling perfectionist who is very fearful. I am fearful that if I let my wall down I will appear weak. I have always had anxiety and allowing myself to not care about everything seems dangerously scary to me.
•How long has this been an issue? My whole life, so at least 30 years. I sucked my thumb for comfort until I was 6 years old. I have now replaced thumb sucking with control, anxiety and biting my fingernails.
•What have you done to resolve this problem? This is what I need help with. What are the behaviors or steps to being vulnerable?
If married or in a committed, monogamous relationship:
•How long have you been together? 9 years
•Is your relationship long-distance? No
•Do you have an active bedroom life? Better in the past 6 weeks than the last 7 years. I still need to work hard in this area.
