What Happens When the Power Struggle is Over?
Stage 5: Growth It takes a lot of soul searching, self-discovery, and deepened communication to break out of the power struggle and move beyond it. It also takes redefining the relationship, firming up some of the relationship roles while loosening other roles. Through all of this, both partners must grow or the changes will simply not be adequate for the relationship to thrive. And those who are committed to their relationships do grow, no matter what may be required of them. • When it starts and how long it lasts: • Growth is an ongoing state of a relationship, but it will be more intense at some times than at others. After a power struggle, the couple will experience a “growth spurt” with a period of intense growth lasting from 6 months to a year or longer. • The joy: • The joy is in the results of the growth. The more each of you grows, the more intimacy you are able to share with one another. The more intimate you become, the more in love you become. The more love you feel for eac
