Relationship Foundation Series: Autonomy, Interdependence, & Codependence

About this event

Relationships thrive when we can stay deeply connected to others without losing ourselves in the process…but many people were never taught how to balance autonomy and intimacy in healthy, sustainable ways. In this workshop, we will explore the balance between independence and connection, and what it means to build relationships rooted in both personal autonomy and meaningful interdependence. While many relationship models encourage either extreme self-sufficiency or complete emotional merging, healthy relationships require the ability to hold both closeness and individuality at the same time. Together, we will unpack the differences between autonomy, interdependence, and codependence, and examine how these patterns often show up in everyday relationships. We will explore how codependent behaviors can sometimes be mistaken for love, loyalty, or care, while overemphasis on independence can create distance, emotional avoidance, or difficulty relying on others. Attendees will be guided in identifying their own relational patterns, including tendencies toward overextending, self-abandonment, emotional isolation, or difficulty asking for support. We will also examine how attachment styles, past relational experiences, and nervous system responses can shape the ways we navigate vulnerability, conflict, and connection. Throughout the workshop, we will focus on practical skills for cultivating healthy interdependence: maintaining a strong sense of self while remaining emotionally connected to others. Attendees will explore how to set boundaries without withdrawing, communicate needs without over-relying, and offer support without taking responsibility for another person’s emotions or outcomes. We will also discuss how these dynamics can become even more complex within non-monogamous relationships, where multiple connections may increase both opportunities for support and challenges around balance, accountability, and emotional sustainability. By the end of the…