Communicating my feelings or expressing myself has always been a difficult task. Learning to communicate in an assertive manner is something I am trying to practice in my life today. I have a tendency to be passive aggressive and bottle my emotions up inside, which I know is unhealthy behavior. If I want to have better relationships with my family and those that I care for, I need to communicate directly but also honestly. I want to have open communication with my loved ones so that we don’t always feel as if we are walking on egg shells around each bother. I have always found it easier to express myself through writing. I know that I need to practice my communication skills while I’m here at South Orange County Detox and Treatment so that my relationships can be built among healthy boundaries, trust, and honesty. It is important for me to communicate how I am feeling when I am struggling and not isolate or let my resentments fester with time. Communication is essential to any long lasting relationship of substance and I must work on myself so that I am able to express how I am truly feeling.