Most people think fighting is just part of love. Mikayla would argue that if you're truly building something secure, you should almost never have to "fight". In this episode, we unpack why resentment is the silent killer of relationships, how small unspoken hurts compound into something that ends love, and what it actually takes to give your partner room to grow. Mikayla grew up in a family where the loudest voice won, where love looked like proving you were right, picking every fight, and dying on every hill. She brought that into every relationship she had until she realized she was alienating the people she loved most. Now nearly a year into marriage and two and a half years with her partner, she's learned that real love isn't about winning the argument; it's about catching the resentment before it builds. In this conversation, she explains why testing your partner is a trauma response, why "I want them to want to buy me flowers" is a trap, and what it looks like to actually let someone love you in a way you can receive. We talk about the moment she effectively proposed to her partner under anesthesia after only three months, the four days of silence that followed, the gum-stick incident that taught her how resentment really starts, why the pursuit of loving is itself a form of love, and how repair, not perfection, is what keeps a relationship alive. If you've ever felt yourself quietly keeping score, withdrawing instead of asking for what you need, or testing your partner to see if they'll stay, this one's for you. Follow for more honest conversations about love, relationships, and what it really means to be human.

Neutral Mask Project 2020