Effective communication is the key to a long-lasting relationship with your mate. Being able to communicate freely with your partner will help you connect at a deep level with them partner and strengthen your bond.
While it is normal to have arguments and disagreements every now and then in a relationship if it becomes too common, chances are you or your mate are communicating well. And even if things are rosy in your relationship, it is still important for you to improve your communication with your partner.
This article sheds light on some tips that will help you communicate better with your mate.
5 Major Roadblocks to Effective Communication
To first step to communicating better with your partner is identifying some poor communication habits you may have. Below are some of them.
Aggressive speech
This is when you talk to your partner in a rude and hostile way. Being very defensive when communicating with your partner can also be considered as aggressive speech. Here are a few other things this also involves.
- Criticizing your mate
- Being controlling
- Blaming your partner always
- Wanting to dominate the conversation
- Raising your voice
Passive Aggression
This is when one expresses anger or frustration in a subtle during a conversation. Below are some ways this can be done.
- Craking offensive jokes about a mistake your partner made
- Given them the silent treatment
- Always questioning their decisions
The partner doing this may experience a measure of satisfaction, but it is often short-lived and will cause serious issues in the future.
Bottling or ignoring things
This is when couples don’t address serious issues and brush them aside. Ignoring any problem in a relationship isn’t a good idea. After a while the small issues they have been brushing under the rug will compound and become difficult to address.
A Guide to Effective Communication in Relationships
Improving your relationship with your partner may involve stepping out of your comfort zone and making a few changes. Below are some tips that can help you communicate better with your mate.
Regular Check-ins
You don’t have to wait till the end of the day before calling or texting your partner. You can do this at different times during the day. Doing this will help you how they are feeling, their mood, and the issues they are facing. And if they happen to be in a bad mood, you will know well in advance and figure out how to make them feel better.
Set Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries can prevent miscommunication and a few other issues from springing up. It is important for you and your partner to have clear boundaries regarding key issues. For example, if you experiencing a tough time financially, you come up with boundaries like this- Deciding that you and your partner must have a discussion before making a purchase that is above $1000. Note that you can set boundaries on the use of sex toys and other sensitive areas of your relationship.
Effective communication equals Listening more
One mistake you may be making is trying to win or dominate every conversation with your mate. While this may make you feel good, it may ruin your relationship with your partner.
Of course, there are going to be times when you don’t agree with your partner. During such moments, it is important that you listen to them closely. This will help you understand them better.
You need to always remember that the goal of communication isn’t to win or to see who is smarter. Rather, it is to understand the point of view of your partner. There is no better way to do this than to listen to them.
Learn to compromise and resolve issues quickly
When addressing conflict or bringing up an issue, your goal should be to resolve things not to shame who is wrong.
To effectively resolve issues in your relationship, you and your partner may need to make some compromises.
Choose the right time
See, your partner isn’t always going to be in a good mood. So you have to figure out the right time to discuss certain matters with them.
For example, if your mate is upset, you can choose to wait until they are calm down or in a good mood before discussing the issue.
Final note
Effective communication is one of the keys to a successful relationship. Applying the tip discussed above will go a long way in helping you communicate with your partner better. And if after your best efforts, things don’t improve, you should see a therapist.