E141: Push & Pull (How We Try To Manage Connection) episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 13, 2026 · 24 MIN

E141: Push & Pull (How We Try To Manage Connection)

from The Happiest Lives Podcast · host Jill M. Lillard

This is part 2 in the series Why We Keep Missing Each Other (Attunement & Why It Matters).  When connection starts to feel uncertain, most of us don’t just sit with that discomfort—we move. We either push for closeness or pull away from it.In this episode, we name what push and pull actually look like in real relationships—not as personality flaws or problems to fix, but as understandable responses to uncertainty. We talk about how good, healthy bids for connection can start to feel like pressure, why withdrawal often comes from overwhelm rather than rejection, and how these two moves quietly fuel each other.You’ll hear why push and pull are so often mislabeled as communication problems or unmet needs, how tools like love languages can backfire when fear is driving the relationship, and why attunement—not behavior modification—is what’s actually missing.This episode isn’t about fixing anything yet. It’s about seeing the pattern clearly, with more compassion for yourself and the people you love.You’ll also learn about two free resources to help you notice these dynamics in real time:myhappyvault.com/uncertainmyhappyvault.com/attunementIf you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com. That’s where I share free resources and ways to stay connected.Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.comQuestions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

This is part 2 in the series Why We Keep Missing Each Other (Attunement & Why It Matters). When connection starts to feel uncertain, most of us don’t just sit with that discomfort—we move. We either push for closeness or pull away from it. In this episode, we name what push and pull actually look like in real relationships—not as personality flaws or problems to fix, but as understandable responses to uncertainty. We talk about how good, healthy bids for connection can start to feel...

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E141: Push & Pull (How We Try To Manage Connection)

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This episode was published on March 13, 2026.

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This is part 2 in the series Why We Keep Missing Each Other (Attunement & Why It Matters).  When connection starts to feel uncertain, most of us don’t just sit with that discomfort—we move. We either push for closeness or pull away from it.In this...

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