Many issues in relationships stem from poor communication. Being able to communicate properly with your partner is extremely important, and something people take for granted.
Communication is often difficult, but it does not have to be this way. With these six steps, you will find your communication improving, and your relationship will grow stronger in the process.
Find the Right Questions to Ask
Sometimes you may feel like the answers you get from your partner are unsatisfying, but the problem may be in the questions that you ask.
Try asking questions that are open-ended, rather than something that can be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” Asking “How is your family doing?” will lead to a better answer than “Is your family doing well?”
Communication Goes Beyond Words
Be on the lookout for your partner’s tone and body language. This can sometimes be a better indicator of how they are feeling than their words, especially if they are short on words.
If they say “everything is fine” but their voice says something else, be mindful of that, and also notice if they are fidgety and not making eye contact, as this can indicate something is wrong.
Don’t Make Assumptions
One mistake we sometimes make is assuming we know what is going on with our partners when we don’t. It is definitely better to ask what they are going through than trying to guess.
Hopefully, they will open up about what they are going through, but give them their space if they do not.
Avoid Being Self-Centered
When you are talking, try to be aware of if you are having a dialogue about something or are making it all about you and how you feel.
It can be frustrating when your partner is only talking about themselves, so be aware of when you do it too. Even if the subject relates more to you, a good practice is to ask your partner questions and include them.
Schedule in Time to Air Your Feelings
Many couples let small problems build up into larger ones until they become far more serious than they ever should have been. Because these problems start so small, it usually feels uncomfortable and petty to even bring them up.
One way around this is to make a regularly scheduled time for both parties to say how they are feeling and what they are going through. Doing this gives everybody space to say what they want without feeling judged, and you can nip those tiny problems in the bud.
Be Direct About Your Needs
Sometimes you share something with your partner in hopes of being comforted, but instead, they give you advice on what you could have done to avoid the situation.
This can be so frustrating, but a way to conquer this is to be clear when you need something, indicating when you want comfort, advice, or just a shoulder to cry on.