If you find yourself avoiding those difficult conversations with your partner, you’re certainly not alone. The Independent recently pointed to comments made by actress Anna Faris, who said in her Unqualified podcast that, “I think after every break up, at some point I realise that there were a lot of things I ignored that I really shouldn’t have.”
Speaking to the newspaper, Dr Jaqui Gabb, a professor of sociology and intimacy at The Open University, explained that one of the reasons many of us sweep potential issues under the carpet is that we are conflict-avoidant to some degree.
However, she stressed that speaking about issues doesn’t have to lead to conflict. “We need to realise that actually talking through something isn’t about responding to or initiating conflict, it’s about constructive dialogue,” Dr Gabb asserted.
Her top piece of advice is to approach such topics from a place of how it makes you feel, rather than by accusing your partner of certain behaviours.
Another reason why we may struggle to talk about some of our concerns is that we are afraid of coming across as “needy”. However, it’s important to distinguish between what might be unhealthy behaviour, and what is necessary to ensure your needs in a relationship are met in the long term.
As the Huffington Post recently noted, some couples may be grappling with issues as a result of having spent so much time together during the successive lockdowns of the past year.
The publication noted that one of the ways to work out whether it’s an issue with your relationship, or related to the pandemic, is to recognise whether you are feeling a general sense of dissatisfaction, or whether it is specific to your relationship.
If you feel dissatisfied with many areas of your life, such as your job, your home and your relationship, it’s likely the pandemic taking its toll.
If you feel as though you would benefit from relationship counselling in Chesham, get in touch with us today to find out how we can support you.
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