Communication plays an important role in building a strong relationship between you and your partner. Communicating with your partner can be a tough skill that takes time and effort to perfect. A marathon athlete can’t run 26.2 miles after one day of training, just as you cannot expect to master communication skills overnight.
Even monkeys fall from trees. When you accept the fact that no one is perfect, you’ll be at an advantage as you work to make your communication with your partner stronger. Only you know what is going on in your own head. That being said, even the best of matches have to practice communication skills to maintain a healthy relationship.
Start Communicating with your partner in a more effective way:
“Always tell the truth. That way you won’t have to remember what you said.”
Mark Twain
1. Be honest: Most relationships are built on trust. If you break that trust, it can really hurt the communication between you and your partner. Furthermore, it’s really difficult to get your point across to your partner when there’s a sense of mistrust in the air.
2. Listen. Traffic runs in more that one direction…communication is no different. Part of the balance, when it comes to communicating, is listening. When you are a skillful listener, you are better able to interpret and understand your partner’s feelings. This means you are not as likely to fall into insignificant quarrels, especially if you consider said feelings when your partner mentions something that is emotionally painful.
3. Take Turns. It doesn’t matter if you are conversing at the dinner table or in a heated argument…just be patient and let your partner finish what they are saying. You have to listen to their whole spiel and use verbal and non-verbal cues to know when it’s your turn to speak.
4. Share. Don’t save your thoughts and feelings for special occasions. Share your opinions regularly. Having a scheduled time each week to sit down and talk with one another can help. Sharing your feelings often and openly can keep you united as a couple and you’ll continually be aware of your partner’s mindset.
5. Make time. You can’t communicate effectively unless you take the time and make the effort to get it done. A helpful hack is to double-dip with times you’re already together…maybe eating a meal or driving to a child’s sporting event. Another way you can ensure that you have adequate time for one another is to take up a common hobby.
6. Keep calm. There will inevitably be times when you and your partner disagree. The key is to learn how to express yourself in a healthy manner. There should never be name-calling, or accusatory words. Staying level-headed will help you avoid saying things in the heat of the moment that you will regret later!
Partners who communicate well tend to work as a team and have strong bonds that deepen the relationship. Connecting on a deep level and being respectful of one another’s thoughts, feelings and goals will ad an element of friendship to the mix that will last a lifetime.
