If you have a dismissive avoidant attachment style, you might value independence and self-sufficiency—it’s what feels safe and familiar. But if you’re looking to build a long-term relationship or simply improve your current connections, healing is possible.

Here are a few steps to help you move toward more secure and fulfilling relationships:

1. Build awareness and shift your patterns
Start by learning about attachment styles and how they influence your behavior in relationships. Understanding the roots of your avoidant tendencies is the first step in recognizing them when they show up—and slowly beginning to respond in new ways.

2. Practice open communication
As you work on healing, it’s normal to experience discomfort or conflict in relationships. Rather than withdrawing, try to express what you’re feeling. Honest, open communication can strengthen your connections and help you feel safer being emotionally available.

3. Seek support from a professional
Changing long-standing patterns, especially those shaped by early life experiences, can be tough to do alone. A therapist can offer guidance, tools, and a safe space to explore and work through the challenges that come with healing.