Love Wars: Is Fighting Ever a GOOD Thing For a Relationship?

Listen

It’s hard to keep your mouth shut when you feel strongly about something and have a lot to say. Sometimes we talk over the other person because we fear that we won’t get a chance to get our point across, and that may cause the other person to become defensive or unresponsive. Give the other person a chance to speak their peace first. Focus your attention on them and listen quietly. Once they’ve finished, acknowledge what they said by repeating it and let them know that their feelings are valid, even if you don’t agree. Never tell someone how they “should feel” or how they should think.  Once they’ve finished, you can give your response in a calm, respectful manner. Both people have a point of view, and if you love your partner, you should want to hear it. It doesn’t mean you have to concede or agree, it simply means you should respect them.