Talk About The Tough Stuff – 5 Tips For More Effective Communication In Your Relationship
Our intimate relationship is often one of the most important and most challenging connections in our lives. No matter how strongly you may feel for your partner, there will be times when you struggle to communicate your needs in a healthy and constructive way. It is especially easy for problems in a relationship to build up when one or both partners lack the tools necessary to effectively communicate with one another.
All of the best relationships take work and ongoing communication. Here are some tips that may help you confront rather than avoid having those difficult conversations with your partner and ultimately achieve a stronger, more resilient relationship.
- Find the right time to have important conversations: When something is bothering you, it is very important that you pick the right time to have a serious conversation with your partner. It is best not to interrupt your partner when they are in the middle of a task, watching their favorite TV show, or about to go to sleep. Let your partner know that you would like to talk to them and agree on a time when they are not doing anything and the two of you can sit down and talk without any other distractions.
- Always talk face to face: It may be tempting to communicate important things via text or email. However, this indirect type of communication often leads to things being misinterpreted. Talking in person ensures that there are no miscommunications so make face to face communication a priority.
- Disconnect from your devices: Put the phone down! Don’t let outside distractions intervene when you are with your significant other. Whether you are having a serious conversation or just enjoying each other’s company, dedicate all of your attention and focus on the person you are with. This helps promote a feeling of intimacy and connection.
- Communicate authentically: Make authenticity and honesty between you and your partner a top priority. Sometimes the truth can hurt, but honesty is the key to a healthy relationship. As opposed to expecting or assuming that your partner knows what is bothering you, speak up and voice your concerns or frustrations. Honest conversation with your partner will often yield more authentic change.
- Compromise: Part of being in a healthy relationship is compromising with your partner so that both of your needs are met. To make compromise easier, try putting yourself in your partner’s shoes and imagine how they may feel. It is also helpful to admit when you have made a mistake instead of making excuses or blaming the other person. In the end, you will feel better and your relationship will be stronger.