Know Yourself First
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it”
Building Better Relationships Starts Within
Hi MFH Youth & Young Adults,
Throughout this month, we’ll share resources around emotional intelligence. It will be a deep dive into understanding how emotional intelligence shapes our connections with others. We're starting with the foundation for our first week: knowing yourself.
📝 THIS WEEK'S THEME: KNOW YOURSELF FIRST
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it" - Psalm 139:14 (NLT)
We need to understand ourselves before we can build meaningful relationships with others. This week, we'll explore two key areas that influence how we show up in relationships:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ATTACHMENT STYLE
Have you ever wondered why you react differently to relationship situations than your friends do? The answer might lie in your attachment style. Our early life experiences create patterns that influence how we connect with others as adults.
This week's challenge: Take 15 minutes to discover your attachment style through this free assessment: Attachment Styles and Close Relationships.
Key reflection questions:
How does your attachment style show up in your current relationships?
What patterns do you notice in your closest friendships?
What would you like to change about how you connect with others?
IDENTIFYING YOUR RELATIONSHIP VALUES
Your values are your relationship compass - they guide your decisions about who you spend time with and how you invest in relationships.
Mini-Exercise: Values Clarity
Take 5 minutes to journal your answers:
What are your top 3 non-negotiables in friendships?
What makes you feel most respected in a relationship?
What boundaries do you need to maintain healthy relationships?
🗓️ THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
Friday Night Youth Hangout (7 PM)
Location: Main Church Auditorium (1724 Bank St)
Sunday Afternoon Service (12 PM)
Location: Main Church Auditorium (1724 Bank St)
📚 RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Know your personality type:
Articles to Read:
"Your Attachment Style Influences the Success of Your Relationship" - The Gottman Institute
"6 Ways to Discover and Choose Your Core Values" - Psychology Today
"The Power of Self-Awareness in Relationships" - Greater Good Magazine
Podcast Episode of the Week:
💭 REFLECTION PROMPT OF THE WEEK
Think about your closest friendship. What qualities in yourself make you a good friend? What areas would you like to grow in?
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
Get ready for our Valentine’s Day Gala on the 14th!
In Week 2, we’ll look at "Reading the Room" - where we'll explore how to better understand and respond to others' emotional needs.
