Elite Daily includes Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D., ’s expertise on emotional labor and making your partnership work
Relationships can often involve a ton of work. Beyond just getting to the point of where you’re committed and exclusive to someone, there’s effort involved in seeing the person, coordinating schedules, comforting them, and showing that person you care. Turns out, there’s a saying for this: emotional labor. So what is emotional labor in relationships? I spoke to Doctor of Psychology and licensed clinical social worker Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D. to get the full run-down of the phrase.
“Emotional labor is exerting mental, emotional and psychological effort into your partner and the relationship,” Forshee tells Elite Daily. “In relationships it is normal to exert emotional labor. However, cautions should be taken when emotional labor is not reciprocated equally by your partner at the same amount as you.”
Examples you exerting more emotional labor could be constantly helping them study for a subject or with homework, but they don’t offer to help you with something they excel in. Or maybe you create weekly playlists for them and send articles you think they’ll enjoy, but they don’t seem to be sending you things that make them think of you.
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