In the spring of 2025, UCA WAVES organized two peer support groups themed “Exploring Intimate Relationships.”

Within these closed group sessions, participants spoke freely, listened to one another, offered companionship and inspiration, and explored topics such as the impact of their families of origin and personal challenges in intimate relationships. Through mutual support, they grew together.

Peer Support Group on Intimate Relationships – Chapel Hill Group Successfully Concludes in Early May

This was a 10-week program with weekly 2-hour online sessions. Centered around themes of family bonds, romantic relationships, and friendships, participants gathered in a safe and supportive space to share important moments, patterns, expectations, challenges, and breakthroughs in their relationships. Each person came with their own story and hopes, opening up with honesty and sincerity. Together, we explored how we show up in relationships and discovered opportunities for growth. Along the way, we found companionship, resonance, and inspiration.

Here are some reflections shared by group members:

“Sometimes life gives us a gift in very ugly wrapping. Only much later do we realize—it was a gift all along.”

“Let go of the obsession that people should understand and care for me without me needing to say anything. If you don’t speak up, they may never know. Even if they don’t respond the way you hope, saying it aloud helps you let go.”

“When women take on too much, it can hurt men’s sense of worth—they feel unseen or unneeded. Whether it’s adults or children, the deep need is to be fully seen, accepted, and affirmed. Notice how sacrifice can carry hidden expectations, control, or blame.”

“Being ‘rational’ may be a form of emotional distancing—from pain, vulnerability, or disappointment. Sometimes we use busyness to avoid feelings. When resentment is stuck inside, love can’t flow out. Ask yourself: what need keeps me in this relationship?”

“Being a ‘good kid’ meant sacrificing parts of who I was. I learned to seek approval by performing. If I did well, I felt worthy—yet also felt used to meet others’ needs. Whether in a position of power or not, I was uncomfortable. It was either superiority or inferiority—never equality.”

“Choosing A has its merits, choosing B has its own. There is no wrong path—each way has value. Whatever I choose, I accept it. All relationships are reflections of our relationship with ourselves. When we make peace with our own shadows, we can truly accept others. Plant a seed of love in your heart and surprises will bloom—some seeds may even flower in others’ hearts.”

“If I can empathize with others, can I empathize with myself too? When I’m not happy, that energy affects everyone. I wasn’t joyful myself, so the family life I created lacked joy—it was all about responsibility and rules. If I could start over, I’d collaborate more with my kids to create fun and laughter.”

“There is laughter at home every day—how did I miss that? Or forget so quickly? I’ve fulfilled major responsibilities, yet still don’t feel happy. What we focus on is what we notice. If we don’t pay attention to joy, we’ll miss it even when we have it.”

There is no such thing as a random gathering—we came together because we’ve been listening to our inner voice and needs. The path of growth is long. We’re on it every day, every moment. We can go fast when we’re ready and rest when we need to. This journey has both setbacks and surprises—when it’s joyful, let’s laugh and embrace fully. When it’s hard, remind ourselves: slow down, wait a bit—it will pass.

We often take care of everyone else, yet forget to care for ourselves. Joining this group meant giving ourselves regular time for self-care. Never forget to love yourself—when we do, we always have at least one person loving us. Let us be joyful first, then share that joy with others. That’s how joy lasts.

Cary Peer Support Group

2025 Cary Peer Support Group focuses on the theme of relationships, specifically including relationships with parents, parent-child relationships, intimate relationships, and friendships.

Life is all about relationships, and our best personal growth also happens within various relationships. Healing through relationships brings a lifetime of joy and nourishment. The peer support group provides a safe, trusting, and respectful space for members to become aware of their emotions and needs through relationships, gaining personal growth and happiness.

In exploring relationships with parents, we reviewed the impact of our family of origin on personal development, released inner repression, and worked on healing ourselves. By further increasing awareness and acceptance, we adjust negative beliefs through self-growth, focus on the present, and embrace the future.

In parent-child relationships, members discovered that they are often driven by fear, anxiety, and worry. Looking ahead, we will learn to nurture our children from a place of love, appreciation, and affirmation, and in doing so, reshape ourselves. Members of the group are growing into better versions of themselves, giving their children a brighter future.

In intimate relationships, members reflected on the journey of getting to know their partners, shared beautiful memories from their marriages, and discussed current confusions and challenges. They became more aware of themselves in these relationships and explored opportunities for growth. In friendships, members recalled memorable stories of friendship, shared their views and expectations, and recognized that every experience and feeling deserves to be heard and respected.

Over ten sessions, we explored family love, romantic love, and friendship, delving into important moments, patterns, expectations, difficulties, and breakthroughs in these intimate relationships. Each group member, through different relationships, gained self-awareness and explored opportunities for growth. Whether we shared joyful memories or past disappointments, what we felt in these relationships was this: the connection between people can be so gentle and powerful.