The Relationship Skill Women Physicians Need Most: Love Fiercely Without Overfunctioning

Love fiercely and be on the same team.

Fierce love tells the truth and does no harm.

It protects connection and refuses to abandon yourself.

It’s love that holds real life but has a backbone.

Fierce love does not tolerate what isn’t healthy, allow your needs, or stay silent to keep the peace.

It is honesty, boundaried, and compassionate. It is committed to repair and steadiness.

Being on the same team sounds simple but it’s profound.

When you show up as if you’re on the same team your tone and interpretation changes.

Your energy shifts from adversarial to collaborative.

You stop trying to “win” and start looking for solutions that protect both people.

Even when you disagree and even when you’re tired.

Fierce love and being on the same team are what carries you through the harder moments of neurodivergence, depression, health crises, career pivots, raising toddlers, teens, and young adults, and all the other beautiful and challenging things that make life life.