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Not Just for Breakups: How Mediation Can Deepen Communication in Any Relationship
Mediation is often seen as something couples only turn to in deep conflict—on the edge of separation or already past the point of no return. And while it’s absolutely supportive in those moments, I find myself mourning how rarely couples choose mediation before things get that far. Because the truth is, mediation isn’t just for repairing what’s broken. It can be an incredible tool for growth, insight, and real transformation within a relationship. As a mediator, my role is to

Emma Buggy
Apr 29, 20252 min read


The Relationship Loop: Identifying and Shifting Patterns That Keep Us Stuck
Do you ever feel like you and your partner keep having the same fight—over and over again? One moment, you're having a normal conversation. Next, you're both spiralling into frustration and emotional triggers. My partner and I have been navigating this lately, especially during a period of big life changes and extra stress. We’ve found ourselves getting stuck in loops where one of us reacts, the other misinterprets, and we both end up feeling unheard and disconnected. These m

Emma Buggy
Mar 18, 20254 min read


From Reactivity to Connection: Responding with Intention in Relationships
Have you ever noticed how some conversations deepen your connection, while others seem to quickly spiral into tension? The difference often isn’t just in the words we say—it’s in the emotional state we’re speaking from. Just this morning, my partner, currently on a retreat in Portugal, sent me an excited message about his vision for us to move to a community there (in the near future).. His enthusiasm was clear, but before I even typed a single word, my body tensed with fear

Emma Buggy
Feb 24, 20255 min read


Don’t wait for your relationship to fall apart before you learn how to come together.
Elektra + Antonis: “We’ve grown deeper roots and higher branches in our relationship” If you’ve started the new year wondering how to care for your relationship—or how to deepen communication, trust, and intimacy with your partner—read on. The holiday break offered me much-needed time to reconnect with myself and my offerings, and one thing just kept returning to me: the power of cultivating presence. Both in my own relationship and in the work I do with couples, I’ve seen h

Emma Buggy
Jan 9, 20252 min read


Loving Beyond Differences: Finding Connection When Views Collide
When someone you love (or even someone you don’t) has an opinion that feels threatening or dangerous to your way of being, what do you do? How do you react? These days, with polarisation dominating so many conversations—whether about politics, identity, or the “right way” to think—I’ve been learning just how deeply these dynamics show up in my personal relationships. Over the past six months, my relationship with my partner has been my greatest teacher in navigating these div

Emma Buggy
Dec 11, 20244 min read


Why I Keep Returning to NVC Foundations While Embracing Messy, Authentic Connection
Did you know that I took the foundation course in Nonviolent Communication 3 times? In fact I know of a few advanced trainers who sometimes repeat a foundational course every now and again, even after teaching it for 5-10 years. As I consider moving my focus away from teaching the basics of NVC by offering courses that integrate NVC with other practices such as Circling, Mindfulness, Tantra and more, I find myself conversely, returning back the the pure magic of the foundati

Emma Buggy
Oct 29, 20243 min read


How to Stay Connected When You Have Opposing Views:
Whether it's about how to school your children, navigating political differences, or conflicting views at work or in relationships, holding opposing perspectives can be one of the most challenging aspects of staying connected with those we are close to. It touches on our deepest fears and needs for belonging, unity, and togetherness. When our community connections feel threatened, it can be disheartening and even terrifying. This year, with wars and political upheaval dominat

Emma Buggy
Oct 16, 20247 min read


Holding Complexity: Listening with Compassion in Times of Conflict
Lately, I find myself overwhelmed by the sheer horror and complexity of the Israel/Gaza/ Lebanon++ conflict. There is so much pain, history, and trauma on all sides. Conversations about this topic feel heavy, fraught with layers of emotion and fear, and I’ve found myself lost in the middle of it, unsure how to hold all these truths at once. As someone with both a both Jewish and Israeli background, I carry the very real weight of my people's history—our trauma, displacement,

Emma Buggy
Oct 1, 20244 min read


The Silent Force Behind Relationship Tensions: Unspoken Expectations
EXPECTATIONS.. We all have them... I certainly do. I expect my friends and family to share some of my core values, like respect, care, and kindness. We expect our governments to “do the right thing”—to ensure access to basic needs such as healthcare, shelter, and the right to work. Many of us expect our partners and parents to love us unconditionally. We expect our friends to be there when we need them. We expect ourselves to succeed at work or build a life for our families

Emma Buggy
Sep 18, 20244 min read


What I am “Learning” About Not Having the Answers
If you are reading this post, perhaps it is because you are looking for answers or inspiration in some part of your life. Maybe you are here for another reason today, yet this is the common goal of my readers—they come to "learn how to be in relationships." So, I hope that in this post you will be thoroughly disappointed. I want to share with you a piece from my journaling today, where I explore this place I perpetually find myself in. Perhaps it will inspire you, or perhaps

Emma Buggy
Aug 6, 20244 min read


Finding True Belonging: Embracing Our Full + Real Selves
Yesterday, I was standing around a campfire at a festival where I was facilitating workshops on communication, authenticity, and intimacy. As we talked about our interactions at the festival, a friend asked me, “Where do we lose ourselves in the name of belonging?” This question immediately sparked an inquiry within me. Suddenly, a stream of past experiences, relationships, and events ran through my mind as I remembered moments of self-betrayal and ways in which I had hidden

Emma Buggy
Aug 5, 20246 min read


The Power + Courage it Takes to Be Vulnerable
"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome." - Brene Brown Vulnerability seems to be a buzzword these days, and much of its resurgence in popular discourse can be credited to Brene Brown's work. Brown champions the power of vulnerability in such an earthy, relatable way that it resonates with many. I celebrate this hugely. Imagining a world where vulnerability is no longer seen as a weaknes

Emma Buggy
Jul 9, 20245 min read


Discover the Hidden Gifts of Anger
Today, I want to talk about a topic I’ve had a complicated relationship with: anger. This emotion has always been tricky for me to express, understand, and sometimes even recognize, especially when I choose to suppress my feelings to maintain harmony with loved ones. Can you relate? Maybe you find yourself expressing anger explosively and then regretting it, or you suppress it until it boils over. We’ve all been socialized to handle anger differently. In the UK, the predomina

Emma Buggy
Jun 24, 20243 min read


Why Perfectionism in Self-Development + Relationships Can Be Counterproductive
NOTE: The notebooks in this photo represent only a few of my over 60 journals of writing that I have kept and continue to write over the past 10 years..) Do you sometimes feel frustrated with your self-development journey? Do you wish you could already feel secure in yourself, trust your instincts, love how you communicate, and feel relaxed and trusting in your relationships, work, and how you show up for yourself, your family, friends, and community? Even writing this list o

Emma Buggy
May 19, 20242 min read


Let's Talk About Messing Up and Making Up
You know that icky feeling you get after you've snapped at someone you care about? Yeah, that's where I'm at right now as I write this post. Just a few hours ago, I had a moment with a friend where I totally lost my cool. I blamed them for something they didn't even mean to do, and then got mad at them when I chose to help them out even though I didn’t want to. It's not a great feeling. Seeing the look on their face when I expressed my raw frustration, immediately led me down

Emma Buggy
Apr 4, 20243 min read


Embracing Uncertainty: My Journey Toward Conscious Relating
In the ever-changing landscape of relationships, I’ve navigated through both the calm seas and the stormy waves of my inner emotional world. Moments of uncertainty have been my most challenging companions, testing my resilience, my patience, and my very understanding of love. Standing at these crossroads, I’ve felt the temptation to seek immediate shelter from the storm, to find a quick fix that would ease the discomfort NOW. Yet, time and again, I’ve discovered that the rich

Emma Buggy
Mar 21, 20243 min read


What’s your inner critic for?
By Andy Hix / Mindfulness Coach + NVC Practitioner In this article I’m going to imagine that I’m having a chat with my Inner-Critic as if it’s a person inside of me. I hope this helps to illustrate what he’s for, how it can end up causing us no end of pointless suffering, and how to make best use of him. Hello Andy’s Inner-Critic, good to speak to you! Hi! So what kind of thing do you criticise Andy for? He should be doing more of almost everything: earning, saving, exercisin

Emma Buggy
Jan 25, 20243 min read


Navigating Conflict Skilfully: Learning Through Feedback and Criticism
How do you handle it when someone criticises you? Do you get defensive? Deny it's true? Do you attack? “You’re worse than me - what about that thing you did!” Do you freeze and shrink into your chair? Eeek I can’t handle this / There’s something wrong with me.. ? What if I told you that every criticism and judgment that someone fires at you can be an opportunity to form a deeper connection and grow closer to yourself and each other? Last week I dove into an experience of ma

Emma Buggy
Jan 16, 20242 min read


Befriending Your Inner Critic: Find the Voice of your Inner Wisdom with Mindful Self Compassion
I have grown up with a harsh inner voice that easily and readily reminded me that I was not clever enough to study certain subjects at university, not interesting enough to be loved long term in a relationship and somehow always saying the wrong thing in order to be fully loved and accepted by others. Does that sound familiar in any way? I believe it is exactly that critical inner voice which led me towards the work that I now do as a compassionate and authentic relating coac

Emma Buggy
Jan 4, 20243 min read


Connection Alchemy: Transforming Miscommunication into Relationship Gold
Have you ever experienced the frustration of pouring your heart out to a loved one, only for them to interpret your words in an entirely different light? It's exasperating, isn't it? That sense of being consistently misunderstood, and perhaps, your partner feels the same way. If this scenario resonates with you, you're not alone. This blogpost is tailored just for you—especially if you've been on a journey of self-discovery, delving into therapy, meditation, and various forms

Emma Buggy
Nov 22, 20232 min read
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