Communicating in a relationship is much more than just talking. That sounds a pretty strange thing to say, doesn’t it? But, you can say “hi” to a stranger on the street, that’s just talking; communicating properly takes a lot more effort than that. To communicate with your partner means listening as well as talking and here are eight tips on how to create the two-way and meaningful communication that helps build a strong and healthy partnership:
Sit Calm
Have you ever sat on the outside of an argument and watched two people yell at each other? They very rarely make any sense and they are certainly not communicating. When you lose your temper, it makes it hard for you to really express what you’re trying to say. So don’t try to resolve things over an argument, wait until you both have calmed down a bit and discuss then.
Stick to the point at hand
When an argument heats up, it’s easy to change direction on the topic and lose sight of what even started the debate! Trying to score points by bringing up other complaints, like a cheap shot barrage, won’t solve the real problem. Stay calm, and stick to the main issue at hand and it will be resolved much sooner.
Try to see things from your partners’ point of view.
It’s a tough call sometimes, but a little empathy can go a long way to resolving a dispute. Try and put yourself in their shoes and think the way you would be thinking if the roles were reversed. It might give you a better understanding of what they are upset about or what makes them feel the way they do.
Listen and listen properly
Listen carefully to what your partner has to say and take it on board. “You won’t listen to me!” is a common cry in relationship breakdowns, so don’t let it happen to you. Half-hearing each other and maybe just saying “yes” at the point where you think it might be expected is not only rude, it can mean that you’re both missing the most important things going on between you.
Always be honest and be open
If you can’t trust your own partner with your hopes as well as your fears, then who can trust you? If you are always honest and open with each other, then you will know that you can trust what you say to each other. Your partner should be one of the few people in the world that you don’t have to wonder what they really mean or what their hidden agenda is.
Try to see things from your partner’s point of view.
It’s a tough call sometimes, but a little empathy can go a long way to resolving a dispute. Try and put yourself in their shoes and think the way you would be thinking if the roles were reversed. It might give you a better understanding of what they are upset about or what makes them feel the way they do.
Listen and listen properly
Listen carefully to what your partner has to say and take it on board. “You won’t listen to me!” is a common cry in relationship breakdowns, so don’t let it happen to you. Half-hearing each other and maybe just saying “yes” at the point where you think it might be expected is not only rude, it can mean that you’re both missing the most important things going on between you.
Always be honest and be open
If you can’t trust your own partner with your hopes as well as your fears, then who can trust you? If you are always honest and open with each other, then you will know that you can trust what you say to each other. Your partner should be one of the few people in the world that you don’t have to wonder what they really mean or what their hidden agenda is.
