Communication is key to any successful relationship.
But it’s also the most misunderstood and neglected part of your relationship.
When you’re in a relationship, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new love and forget that you need to talk about things that are important. This is especially true if your partner has been through some difficult times in their past—you may not even know what they’re dealing with, so how can you help them?
Well, we’re here to tell you how: by talking!
Communication is the key to solving any problem in a relationship because if you don’t communicate, then how will anyone know where they stand or what they want? And if they don’t know those things, then how can they expect their partner to understand them?
The first step toward better communication is making sure both partners are on the same page about what needs to be said.
If one person wants something out in the open but the other doesn’t feel ready for it yet, then both parties need to work together until one of them feels comfortable sharing their feelings or thoughts. Don’t let pride get in the way—if your partner has something important on their mind but won’t tell you.
Have a clear understanding of what is important to you (and your partner).
Make sure both parties know what each other’s priorities are, so that any conflicts that arise can be solved quickly and easily.
Make sure you have the same idea of what “good communication” looks like.
If you’re both using different definitions for this term, then you might be having different kinds of conversations than what your partner expects—which could lead to further problems down the road!
Practice active listening skills together as a couple.
This will help both parties feel heard and understood by their partner (and vice versa). Active listening means making eye contact with the person speaking; paraphrasing back what they’ve said so they know their point was understood; asking questions if there’s something unclear about what was said; and making sure not to interrupt while someone else is speaking.
Listen more than you talk.
This sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the hardest things to do! When you’re talking with someone, really listen to what they’re saying rather than thinking about what you’re going to say next. Focus on them and try not to interrupt them while they’re speaking so that they feel heard by you.
Be honest with each other about any issues that come up in your relationship.
Some people are afraid of being honest because they think it will hurt their partner’s feelings or make them mad at them; however, if something is bothering you or causing conflict between the two of you, then it needs to be addressed before things get worse!
Don’t assume anything.
Assuming that your partner knows what they’re doing wrong or what they need to do differently to improve their behavior (or yours) can be very dangerous. Clarify! Ask questions! Use active listening skills!
Don’t blame or shame.
Don’t blame each other for causing the problems in your relationship—blame yourselves instead (and then try to figure out how you both contributed). Blame doesn’t fix anything; understanding does!
Take responsibility for your own actions and words.
Even if they were unintentional or unconscious, you should take responsibility. This is called owning up to them! Owning up helps us grow as people and makes us more open-minded about ourselves and others around us because we see ourselves as part of something bigger than ourselves.
Remember, it’s not about getting your way all the time; it’s about understanding and just coming to terms with each other. Make sure you don’t lose sight of that fact, and you’ll be communicating like pros before you know it!
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