Russian Women Often Seek Therapists Due to Unhappiness in Marriage, Blaming the "Perfect Student Syndrome," Says Psychologist
Why Russian Women Are Unhappy in Marriage—and How to Fix It
Many Russian women turn to psychologists because they feel unhappy in their marriages, and the root cause is often the so-called "perfect student syndrome," Kristina Golotvina, a psychologist, cognitive behavioral therapist, profiler, and kinesics expert, told RIA MO.
She outlined eight steps to break free from harmful habits and start living a happier life.
First, allow yourself to get "Cs" and "Ds"—if you didn't wash the dishes, the world won't collapse. Second, learn to ask for help instead of waiting for your husband to guess what you need, and take off the "I'll do it all myself" crown. Third, step out of the "mom" role: stop picking up his socks, reminding him about dentist appointments, or solving his problems for him. Fourth, invest in yourself—time and money spent on hobbies, appearance, or education are investments in the woman he fell in love with.
Fifth, practice "healthy selfishness":
"Your desires carry the same weight as your husband's. Learn to say 'no' without guilt," the expert explained.
Sixth, stop comparing your family to others. Seventh, learn to accept compliments without downplaying them. Eighth, allow yourself to be imperfect—to be tired, angry, or flawed.
"Dear women, here's the most important thing to understand: a man doesn't choose a life partner based on a résumé. He doesn't need an 'Employee of the Month.' He needs a real, living, authentic woman," Golotvina concluded.
