On Attachment

A secure relationship isn’t one where nothing ever goes wrong — it’s one where the foundation is strong enough to hold the hard stuff. For many people (especially those with anxious attachment), insecurity doesn’t come from being “too sensitive,” but from being in dynamics that lack safety, consistency, or clarity.In this episode, I break down five key qualities that tend to be present in secure relationships, and how they actually feel on a nervous system level.I cover:What emotional safety really looks like (and what it doesn’t)Why trust is about reliability and consistency, not just honestyHow secure couples approach conflict and repair after ruptureWhat it means for a relationship to be a secure base rather than a constant projectWhy shared vision and felt commitment are essential for long-term securityWhether you’re assessing your current relationship, healing after an insecure one, or wanting to understand what you’re moving towards, this episode offers a grounded framework for what relational security is built on — and what helps it endure.Explore my couples course, Secure TogetherFree resources for building secure attachment

In this Ask Steph episode, I respond to a listener question about wanting more words of affirmation from a partner — but not wanting to feel like you're constantly asking for it. This is a really common tension, especially for people with anxious attachment. On one hand, words of affirmation genuinely matter. On the other, asking for them can feel exposing, needy, or like you’re trying to force something that should come naturally.In this episode, I unpack why this dynamic is rarely about someone “withholding” affection, and how the way we ask (or don’t ask) can either make it feel safer or riskier for our partner to express verbally.Rather than offering scripts or communication hacks, this conversation focuses on the deeper relational pieces that often get missed — including how we receive affirmation, how defensiveness shuts down vulnerability, and what it means to take responsibility for your needs without self-abandoning.

Break-ups are painful — but often, the way we try to cope with that pain can quietly keep us stuck in it for much longer than necessary.In this episode of On Attachment, I walk through five of the most common ways people unknowingly self-sabotage after a break-up, particularly those with anxious attachment patterns. These behaviours aren’t a sign that you’re doing healing “wrong.” They’re understandable coping strategies that make sense in the context of loss, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm — but they don’t always serve us in the long run.Rather than shaming or pushing yourself to “move on faster,” this episode invites you to bring awareness to where your energy is going after a break-up, and how to gently redirect it in ways that actually support healing.In this episode, we explore:Why obsessively replaying the relationship can keep you emotionally tetheredThe belief that you need closure from your ex in order to move onHow romanticising the relationship in hindsight distorts realityWhy comparing your healing to your ex’s is a losing gameThe cost of continuing to be each other’s emotional support personAt the heart of all of this is a simple but challenging truth: healing after a break-up requires turning towards your own pain, rather than trying to solve, analyse, or bypass it.This episode is for you if you’re going through a break-up and feel stuck in rumination, comparison, or hope that’s keeping you anchored to the past — and you want a more grounded, self-compassionate way forward.ResourcesClick here to register for my free breakup training

In this Ask Steph episode, I share my perspective on the phrase “if they wanted to, they would” — and why it’s sometimes helpful, but often oversimplified.I talk about the difference between basic effort and genuine capacity, and why assuming someone’s behaviour always reflects a lack of care or love can miss what’s really going on. We explore how attachment patterns, protective strategies, and stress responses shape how people show up in relationships — often in ways that can’t be changed through willpower alone.This episode is about shifting the focus from judging someone’s intentions to getting clear on your own boundaries, non-negotiables, and whether a relationship works for you as it is — or not.

Few decisions feel as emotionally loaded as deciding whether to keep trying in a relationship or to walk away. There is no universal right answer — and for many people, especially those with anxious attachment, this question can feel endlessly destabilising.In this episode, I share 10 reflective questions designed to support clearer, more grounded decision-making. These questions aren’t a checklist or a formula to tell you what to do. They’re an invitation to slow down, step out of fear-based urgency, and reconnect with your own values, needs, and capacity.If you’ve been stuck going back and forth, waiting for certainty, or hoping something will finally make the choice clear for you, this episode offers a compassionate framework to help you find your own way forward.

In this Ask Steph episode, I’m answering a listener question that many people can relate to: drunk texting an ex, waking up full of shame, and not knowing what to do next.I talk about why this happens, especially in the aftermath of a breakup when loneliness, lowered inhibitions, and longing collide — and why beating yourself up afterwards only makes things worse.I explore how to respond in a grounded way, including whether you need to follow up with your ex at all, how to keep it simple if you do, and why the real work isn’t undoing the message but making sure you don’t end up in the same position again.This episode focuses on creating practical guardrails — around drinking, contact, and temptation — so you’re not relying on willpower alone when you’re in a tender place. I also talk about how learning from moments like this, rather than spiralling in shame, is a powerful way to rebuild self-trust, self-respect, and self-worth after a breakup.If you’re feeling embarrassed or disappointed in yourself right now, you’re not alone — and you’re not beyond repair. I hope this episode helps you meet yourself with compassion while still supporting yourself to make better choices next time.

Anxious–avoidant relationships are often described as doomed — intense, painful, and inherently incompatible. While these dynamics can certainly be challenging, they’re not automatically destined to fail.In this episode, I explore what it actually takes to make an anxious–avoidant relationship work — not through chemistry, hope, or sheer effort, but through three essential, non-negotiable ingredients.I share why these dynamics can become either deeply healing or deeply reinforcing of old wounds, and how safety, responsibility, and discernment determine which way it goes.In this episode, I cover:Why anxious–avoidant relationships can feel both magnetic and destabilisingThe difference between understanding attachment styles and doing the relational workWhy commitment is essential — and how “one foot out the door” undermines safetyThe role of humility in breaking defensive patterns and power strugglesWhy self-awareness isn’t enough without nervous system and relational capacityHow to discern whether a relationship can actually support mutual growth and securityThis episode is not about forcing a relationship to work at all costs. It’s about honestly assessing whether the conditions required for safety, repair, and growth are present — and whether both partners have the willingness and capacity to do the work.Explore my free resources here

In this Ask Steph episode, I’m answering a listener question about infidelity and whether a fearful-avoidant partner can genuinely change.Rather than asking whether change is possible in theory, this episode focuses on a more important question: how likely is real change, and what should you actually be paying attention to after betrayal?In this episode, I explore:How someone takes responsibility for cheating, and whether their remorse goes beyond guilt or shame.Why understanding why the cheating happened matters more than promises alone.How fearful-avoidant patterns and unresolved shame can drive self-sabotage.What it takes to rebuild trust, including the capacity to stay present with your pain rather than rushing to move on.When repair after infidelity can lead to growth — and when the conditions for real repair may not be there.If you’re navigating betrayal, I’m really sorry you’re going through that. I hope this episode helps you clarify what to look for and whether meaningful repair is possible.

Letting go of someone you love can feel like the hardest thing you’ll ever do — especially if you have anxious attachment patterns. When your nervous system equates connection with safety, walking away can feel more intolerable than staying in pain.In this episode, I explore why letting go is so difficult, and what actually helps when love, attachment, and fear are all tangled together.I talk about:Why anxious attachment makes holding on feel safer than letting goHow we often confuse feelings with instructions for actionWhy waiting to “feel ready” or to stop loving someone keeps us stuckThe crucial distinction between love and compatibilityWhy letting go isn’t a feeling — it’s a choice you make again and againHow grief, discomfort, and longing are part of the process, not signs you’ve made a mistakeThis episode is both a pep talk and a reality check — an invitation to trust yourself enough to choose what’s right for you, even when it hurts, and even when you still love them.If you’re navigating a breakup or struggling to let go, be sure to check out my free breakup training: https://www.stephanierigg.com/break-up-webinar

As the year comes to a close, this episode offers a grounded reflection on what actually creates change — beyond resolutions or waiting to feel ready.This is an invitation to reflect on agency, integrity, and the quiet choices that shape your life over time.⁠⁠Register for the 28-Day Secure Self Challenge here

In this episode, we explore why rejection feels so big — not just in dating and relationships, but across friendships, family, work, and creative life. We look at the evolutionary and attachment roots of rejection sensitivity, and how it creates a confirmation bias that makes neutral situations feel personal.I talk about how the fear of rejection leads us to shrink, stay silent, or hold back from opportunities, creating a self-fulfilling cycle of loneliness and limitation. We also talk about what rejection resilience looks like in practice: separating facts from stories, reality-checking assumptions, taking small risks, and building an internal sense of worth that can withstand a “no.”This is a gentle, grounded invitation to stop rejecting yourself first — and to live more fully, even when rejection is a possibility.⁠Register for the 28-Day Secure Self Challenge hereDownload the Anxious Attachment Pep Talks here

In this episode, we explore the deeper patterns that make emotionally unavailable partners feel so familiar — even when you want something different.Rather than framing this as a personal flaw or something you’re “doing wrong,” this conversation explores the deeper emotional and relational patterns that make certain dynamics feel familiar, magnetic, or even safe on a nervous-system level.I walk through five core reasons this dynamic tends to repeat:Low self-worth: When love feels like something you need to earn, you may be drawn to people who require effort.Inconsistent early relationships: If connection was unpredictable growing up, inconsistency can feel like “home.”Hope, potential, and the saviour role: Why focusing on who someone could be keeps you invested long after the relationship stops feeling good.Intermittent reinforcement: How sporadic affection creates an addictive cycle that’s hard to break.Your own emotional unavailability: The surprising ways pursuing unavailable people can protect you from deeper vulnerability.This episode offers a compassionate look at why these patterns form — and what it takes to move toward relationships that feel mutual, steady, and emotionally safe.Register for the 28-Day Secure Self Challenge here

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to create meaningful change — especially in those seasons where everything feels hard, familiar patterns keep looping, and no amount of “trying” seems to make a difference. We talk about the inner environment required for real change, and why self-compassion isn’t the opposite of accountability — it’s the foundation of it.You’ll hear about:Why we default to shame when we feel stuckThe myth that self-criticism leads to better behaviourHow shame overwhelms an already stressed nervous systemWhy being on your own team is essential for honest self-reflection👉🏼 Join the January round of my 28-Day Secure Self Challenge here00:00 Introduction 04:13 Why Self-Judgment is So Common06:32 Understanding and Validating Anxiety08:49 The Role of Self-Compassion in Growth11:58 Isn't Self-Compassion Self-Indulgent?

Today's episode is a special one: I'm sharing my own healing story and how I went from anxious and insecure to confident, grounded in my worth, and in a loving partnership. My hope in sharing is that you can see we aren't all that different, and that you feel encouraged to continue on the courageous path of healing. 🖤 If you'd like to explore my Black Friday sale — the biggest I've ever run — click here.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend James “Fish” Gill for a listener Q&A all about conflict, communication, and staying connected through hard moments.We explore some big questions, including:How to release resentment when a conflict is “resolved” but the emotional residue is still sitting in your bodyWhat real repair actually looks like, and why some apologies land while others don’tWhen a relationship swings from explosive conflict to total conflict avoidance — and how to find a healthier middle groundHow to navigate dating when kids are involved, especially when parenting differences trigger deeper fears, jealousy, or old woundsFish and I unpack the relational dynamics underneath these questions and offer compassionate, practical guidance for moving through it with more clarity, honesty, and connection.If you’re wanting to deepen your communication, repair more effectively, and understand yourself and your partner in moments of tension, this conversation will be a supportive place to land.👉🏼 My Black Friday Sale is now live — save 65% on my best-selling courses with exclusive Black Friday bundles.Connect with FishFollow Fish on InstagramVisit Fish's websiteBuy Fish's book, How to Fall in Love with Humanity

In this special episode of On Attachment, I sit down with my partner Joel to answer your questions about our journey into parenthood with our now 18 month old son. We explore the transition to parenting, how our attachment styles have shaped the experience, and what helps us stay aligned as a couple. The conversation also covers our initial feelings about wanting kids, the surprises and challenges along the way, and the practices that keep us connected and supportive of each other. Join the Black Friday Sale waitlist hereFree ResourcesFree Break-Up Training: The 3 Shifts That Help Anxiously Attached People Heal After a Break-up Free Anxious Attachment Training: How to Heal Anxious Attachment and (Finally) Feel Secure in Life & Love

So many of us spend our lives orienting around what other people think of us — seeking approval, avoiding disapproval, and constantly scanning for reassurance that we’re doing, saying, and being the “right” thing.If you lean towards anxious attachment patterns, this makes perfect sense. The foundation of the anxious attachment pattern is an external orientation — learning to attune to others for safety, validation, and a sense of self. When we’ve never had a steady internal anchor, other people become our compass.But that comes at a cost. We lose touch with our own truth — our values, our preferences, our intuition — and live our lives by borrowed standards. And the more we outsource our worth, the more fragile it becomes.In this episode, we explore how to shift from being other-referenced to self-referenced:Why anxiously attached people are especially sensitive to others’ opinionsHow external orientation keeps us anxious and disconnected from ourselvesWhat it actually means to develop an internal compassPractical steps to build self-trust and integrityHow to tolerate disapproval without collapsing into shameUltimately, caring less about what others think isn’t about indifference — it’s about self-trust. When you truly respect and stand by yourself, other people’s opinions carry less weight. You stop needing to convince anyone of your worth, because you already know it.

One of the most common questions after a break-up is: when will I be ready to start dating again? Sadly, there’s no hard and fast rule, no magic timeline, and no moment where you’ll suddenly feel 100% confident and never wobble again. Readiness isn’t about the calendar — it’s about how you’re feeling, the work you’ve done, and the mindset you're bringing with you. In this episode, I’ll share:Signs you may not be ready yet (like still being in the thick of grief, rumination, or longing for your ex)Signs you might be moving toward readiness (like curiosity about meeting someone new and clarity around your standards and patterns)How to approach dating again with intention and self-compassionWhy dating itself can stir up new layers of grief — and how that doesn’t mean you’ve failed or gone backwardsIf you’ve been wondering whether to dip your toes back in the dating pool, this episode will help you manage your expectations, recognise where you’re at, and approach the process in a way that feels grounded and intentional.Highlighted Links Free Break-Up Training: The 3 Shifts That Help Anxiously Attached People Heal After a Break-up Free Training: How to Heal Anxious Attachment and (Finally) Feel Secure in Life & Love Additional Resources Download the FREE Anxious Attachment Starter Kit here Join my email list 💌 Explore my library of free guides, classes & meditations Visit my website

When a relationship ends, it’s natural to crave closure. We want answers, explanations, or one last conversation that will tie everything up neatly and help us move on. But the reality is, closure rarely comes from someone else — it’s something we have to create for ourselves.In this episode, I share some hard but freeing truths about closure:Why the relationships that leave us most desperate for closure are usually the ones least likely to give itHow the idea of a “closure conversation” can sometimes be a hidden way of keeping the door openWhy even when we get answers, they rarely soothe us in the way we hopeThe difference between chasing closure from someone else versus cultivating it within yourselfPractical ways to create your own sense of closure and peaceIf you’ve been waiting for that message, that explanation, or that final conversation to make things better, this episode will help you see closure differently — and take back your power to move forward.Highlighted Links Free Break-Up Training: The 3 Shifts That Help Anxiously Attached People Heal After a Break-up Free Training: How to Heal Anxious Attachment and (Finally) Feel Secure in Life & Love Additional Resources Download the FREE Anxious Attachment Starter Kit here Join my email list 💌 Explore my library of free guides, classes & meditations Visit my website

So often, we’re drawn to the work of healing our relational wounds because of challenges in our relationship. A partner’s behaviour, or the dynamic between us, shines a light on our pain points and shows us where our work might be. But this can raise a difficult question: if we’re still being triggered or activated within that very relationship, is healing actually possible?In this episode, I explore the nuance of this dilemma. We’ll cover:Why triggers aren’t necessarily a bad thing — and how they can point us toward the deeper wounds that need healing.The difference between growth edges that stretch us and dynamics that keep us constantly dysregulated.Signs you can do the work of healing within a relationship, and when the relationship itself may be keeping you stuck.How to find the middle ground: using relational challenges as invitations into greater self-awareness, without normalising constant pain or struggle.Relationships will always bring moments of discomfort — that’s the nature of intimacy and vulnerability. But there’s an important distinction between the kind of challenge that supports healing, and the kind that prevents it. This episode will help you reflect on where your relationship sits, and what you need in order to move forward in your healing journey.Highlighted Links Free Break-Up Training: The 3 Shifts That Help Anxiously Attached People Heal After a Break-up Free Training: How to Heal Anxious Attachment and (Finally) Feel Secure in Life & Love Additional Resources Download the FREE Anxious Attachment Starter Kit here Join my email list 💌 Explore my library of free guides, classes & meditations Visit my website