Communication is perhaps the most important ingredient in a successful relationship\u2014whether it\u2019s a romantic relationship, a friendship, or a colleague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if you can\u2019t communicate with each other effectively, then you\u2019re not going to be able to understand how each other are feeling, what the both of you need and want, how to work through challenges together, or how to relate to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But none of us are taught how to communicate effectively, are we? Which is why so many of us are terrible at it. (No, it\u2019s not just you!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If at least one person in the relationship is able to communicate well, it increases the chances of the couple having a successful relationship, and it\u2019s likely the other person will learn to communicate better the more time they spend with their partner. However, if neither of you communicate well, then there’s a real risk you\u2019ll both grow angry, frustrated, and resentful of each other, and your relationship will eventually break down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, it\u2019s much better, and easier, to be in a relationship where both of you communicate well with each other. So I\u2019ve put together a list of the most common communication problems in relationships, and how you can navigate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not asking interesting questions.<\/strong> It\u2019s important to re-ignite that excitement from when you were first getting to know each other, and still take a genuine interest in each other\u2019s lives. You can do this by sitting down and pretending you\u2019ve just met each other, or thinking of deeper questions to ask each other, so you can continue to learn new things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not communicating at all. (Or being passive aggressive.)<\/strong> Not speaking to each other, or being defensive, puts barriers up, and doesn\u2019t allow you to work through problems together. If your partner\u2019s default is to shut down on you, be the one to encourage them to open up and spill what\u2019s on their mind with you. And if you\u2019re the one who tries to teach your partner a lesson through silence, you need to know that when the communication stops in a relationship, real problems can start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s much better to argue with each other occasionally than to try to keep the peace by not communicating how you truly feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not listening or empathizing.<\/strong> Empathy is crucial in any successful relationship, and a key cog when it comes to communication. Your partner needs to feel like you care about how they\u2019re feeling, and that they\u2019re not alone. Next time your partner is struggling, don\u2019t be so quick to offer them advice\u2014offer them support instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not controlling your emotions.<\/strong> Next time you find yourself being triggered, make a conscious effort not to raise your voice, and pay attention to what you\u2019re doing with your body. Speak at a normal level, remain calm, and talk things through like adults. Attacking each other is not the way to resolve conflict, and it\u2019s a toxic way to communicate with someone who you supposedly love and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not addressing the root cause of how you\u2019re feeling.<\/strong> When you find yourself doing this, stop and ask yourself if this is really what\u2019s causing you so much frustration, and if it\u2019s not, think about what the root cause is and then share that with your partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication is vital for any relationship to survive and thrive. Take a look at how you\u2019re showing up in your relationship, and how you can improve the way you communicate today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" None of us are taught how to communicate effectively, are we? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":141,"featured_media":17626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[891,898],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-relationship-advice","category-relationship-problems"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIt\u2019s in our nature as people to crave attention from others, and have others be interested in us and our lives. When relationships have gone on for some time, questions can become very routine and boring such as, \u201cHow was your day?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSome people have a tendency to withdraw when they\u2019re hurt or angry with their partner, and cease to communicate at all. But when it’s not addressed, pain can fester, grow, and eventually hurt both people in the relationship. When it comes to communication, the worst thing you can do is not do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe thing about communication is it\u2019s not just about talking\u2014it\u2019s also about listening to your partner, and understanding how they\u2019re feeling. When you\u2019re both trying to understand each other, communication will flow much better, than if you\u2019re both sharing a stream of your own thoughts and opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSome of us are quick to lose our temper and become aggressive with our partner, by raising our voice or using aggressive language or body language. The partner on the receiving end of this will quickly learn not to voice their true feelings, out of fear that there\u2019ll be drama. And shouting and screaming isn\u2019t going to help your partner understand you any better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThere are so many times when we\u2019ll find ourselves flipping off the handle at our partner for something so small\u2014like forgetting to pick up the milk from the shop like we asked, or switching the lights off when they leave the house. Usually, we\u2019re not mad about that small thing, we\u2019re really mad about something else\u2014something that has been building up over time, or something that is nothing do with our partner\u2014and we\u2019re taking it out on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n