Communication problems - Tips

>What annoys you about your partner? />Now try and formulate your annoyance in a positive way and turn it into a wish. /> />For example, when you are annoyed that he is again behind the computer the whole evening. You can say that you would like to spend some quality time together with him.>

>Always falling back into the same way of speaking? Blaming back and forth? Make sure you are aware when you start to feel angry. /> />Then take a break, do that in a 'safe' way. Say for example: I notice I start to feel angry, I'd like to stop this conversation for now. I promise I will get back to it. /> />Don't make the other responsible for solving your anger. Examine for yourself what made you angry and what is actually your longing and what is the blame. Come back to the conversation and try and discuss your longing.>

>You do not have to agree with each other. You can agree on that together. This can help to reduce the tendency to want to convince the other. /> />You can also get to know each others opinions in a relaxed way. Accept that the other is different than you and that it is also fine when you have different opinions.>

>Listen to the other />When someone is talking, many people are mainly busy thinking about what they are going to say themselves. They do not really listening to the other. /> />Try to have your attention with the one you listen to.>

>When your relationship is in a valley, every annoyance can bring you further down. > > />Fortunately, the other way around is also true. Every positive action influences immediately the daily things. Try it, and see for yourself that the spiral will go up.>

>Do you tend to always say yes to requests from others, because you want to please, while actually you do not want to? Then it is good to practice saying no and make space for something you do want. /> />Learn to say "no". Saying no doesn't have to be hard. You can always ask for time to think about it when you feel overwhelmed by a request from a colleague/ friend/ family member/ acquaintance/ ..... /> />You do not have to make up excuses when you say no. Many people tend to cover their 'no' with excuses, little lies, or falsehoods. Keep it open and simple. If you don't feel like it or don't have time for it, you can simply say that. /> />The "broken recordplayer method" is very convenient when you have said no, but the other one is insisting. The only thing you have to do in this method, is to repeat your 'no' and the motivation for it. Like a recordplayer that is broken and keeps repeating the same part. This way you do not get seduced to discussions or making excuses. /> />Set your limit when somebody crosses them. You are the only one that can feel where your limit is. /> />When you don't allow yourself to say 'no', this can give you a lot of stress and tension.>

>Create time for each other to communicate /> />1) Communicate about the relationship problems />Set a time and place to talk about the problems you encounter. Nowadays many couples hardly find the time anymore to really talk. So you have to create it! /> />When you don't manage to talk about a problem without raising your voice, it might be an idea to talk in a public area. This could make that you can behave a bit more sensible. /> />2) Communicate about other things />Also talk with each other about other things that keep you busy. What makes you feel happy, what about your passions, your plans. /> />You can also communicate non-verbally. Take a walk together in nature, do something you both like, relax together, hug each other...>

>Do you live together for years now without any real connection and do you dread the years to come? Without emotional connection everything becomes dull: pleasure, friendship, love, sex.... /> />Without an emotional connection, life becomes boring, also in the bedroom. Give yourself and your partner the chance and start even today with the magical effect of empathy. You will notice it works. /> />Every day 15 min.: /> />1. Agree who will talk about something that touched him/her and who will listen, open, honest, without interruptions or interpretations. /> />2. When everything is said, you can ask some questions to help to understand better the essence of what the other was trying to express. Avoid critical remarks, improvements or your own opinion. /> />3. Reformulate what you have understood to be the essence. Ask if you understood it right, as long as is necessary to be able to response emphatically with something like "Oh honey, that must have been very painful/sad/disturbing for you!" /> />Then take the hand of the person who was sharing or give each other a hug. So it is not about a practical solution, but about the feeling recognition. Experiment daily, 15 min a day.>

>It can be a support to write a letter to each other with all the annoyances. And with every annoyance a concrete wish to create something different. /> />Read each others letters only after a week and write a letter back with your proposal for change.>

>The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention... /> />A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words. /> />( Rachel Naomi Remen)>

>Don't assume anything. Sometimes we just assume a person understands something or we agree on things. Assumptions can cause a lot of problems.> > > >It is really important to discuss all the important things and not just assume anything. So many people end up in a relationship with someone with whom they are completely incompatible because they never asked questions or discussed anything important.> > > >So for example, if you are considering marrying someone, you might want to start talking about important things like whether you both want kids, what your priorities are, what you expect from each other and even some of the seemingly less important things like how do we do Christmas with each of our families.>

>The people that have the most possibilities to start a love affair, are often not the best partners, but the ones that make the most connections.>

>People that are often occupied with their smartphone, often have a less satisfying relationship then people who don't. /> />Recent research has shown that the feeling of a good connection immediately disappears when the person you talk to is continuously looking at his phone. /> />To avoid this, you can for example make phone free hours. For example during dinner or after 10 o'clock in the evening. If you do that, really put it out of sight!>

>Whatever you do, stay honestly curious. /> />In any case to yourself. Do you notice that you start to feel angry with your partner, you feel pressured, is he or she annoying you? Then, stay honestly curious to your partner. When your partner is very angry with you, tries to tie you down or treats you unjust, ask yourself: "What good reason does my partner - who is in essence a very loving human being - have, to do what he/she does? What longing would my partner have?" /> />Besides all the virtues every human being has, I belief that this virtue of curiosity is a very important one for a healthy relationship. So I hope you enjoy practicing with it!>

>Are your experiencing communication problems in your relationship and could you use some support? /> />A relationship counsellor can help you.>

In my role helping couples improve their communication, I've introduced a 'Pause and Reflect' technique that fosters understanding and reduces conflict. Before responding to your partner, especially in heated moments, take a brief pause to reflect on what they've said and how you're feeling. This pause allows you to consider your words carefully and to respond rather than react. During this reflective period, ask yourself: "What is my partner really trying to communicate?" and "How can I respond in a way that contributes to a constructive dialogue?" This method not only helps in managing emotional responses but also in addressing the underlying issues more effectively. It's a powerful tool for transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth and deeper connection.

As a counsellor who assists individuals and couples in navigating communication challenges, I've observed that words are just one part of the conversation. Non-verbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice play a significant role in how we convey and interpret messages. When words fail, or misunderstandings arise, paying attention to these non-verbal signals can offer deeper insight into your partner's feelings and intentions. Encourage open discussion about what certain gestures mean to each of you. Understanding that a sigh might be a sign of exhaustion rather than irritation, or a smile can convey support without words, can significantly improve empathy and connection between partners.