Building Relationships: 3 Reasons Why Good Communication Is Vital
Talk to your friends and family, and everyone is sure to have their own little kernels of wisdom for how to build a healthy relationship.
“Treat them mean, keep them keen”, “never go to bed angry”, and “jealousy means they love you” are all common clichés you might have heard here or there.
The truth is that the simple truth to building relationships doesn’t live in slogans and catchphrases.
Instead, one of the most crucial tips for a good relationship is to learn how to communicate. Without clear lines of communication, you and your partner will be left stumbling in the dark.
Whether you’re looking to build a happy marriage with someone or you’re still keeping it casual, it’s a skill that will serve you well. And to prove the point, here are only a few key reasons why strong communication is vital in any relationship.
1. It Builds Respect
In couples counseling, an issue that individuals often express is that every issue feels like them versus their partner. That’s not to say that you can’t have real, legitimate issues like financial or work/life problems. The trouble, though, is that without proper communication you can find yourself fighting a partner on these issues rather than confronting them as a united front.
The antidote to this situation is to foster greater respect for your partner. And a barrier to building that respect is not communicating when something is wrong.
Your partner knows you better than you may realize. They can tell when something is wrong even if you don’t say as much yourself. And when you fail to communicate, those unexpressed feelings can bubble up to the surface and manifest as hostility.
By opening the lines of communication, you’re showing that you respect your partner enough to be open with them. And from there, you can confront the true issue together rather than fighting amongst yourselves.
2. It Prevents Misunderstandings
At any stage of a relationship, ensuring that you’re both on the same page is essential.
In the early stages, clear communication can prevent so-called “breadcrumbing” — they act of leading someone on or instilling false hopes and expectations in them. In an established relationship, it can help to ensure that nothing goes unsaid between you two.
3. It Builds Trust
Relationships can be scary. You’re putting your feelings in another’s hands and hoping that they don’t break your heart in return.
It’s can be so scary that you may find yourself withdrawing from the relationship over time without realizing that you’re doing it.
Trust needs to be renewed constantly by communicating in an open and honest fashion with one another. Otherwise, it tends to erode with time leaving you both feeling insecure.
Building Relationships That Stand the Test of Time
Working to improve a marriage or relationship does more than forge stronger bonds. It’s good for your mental health, too. So building relationships that are supportive and healthy should always be a priority.
However, even with open and clear lines of communication, there’s no guarantee that you won’t face challenges. Couples today face hurdles that our ancestors could never have imagined.
So there’s no shame in seeking help. If you and your partner have reached a standstill, it may be time to pursue relationship counseling. To get started, click here to see the difference that counseling can mean for you.
Online Counseling & Coaching Services in California:
- Couples Counseling
- Pre-Marital Counseling
- Trauma Counseling
- Emotion-Focused Therapy
- Family Counseling
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
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- Couples & Family Intensives
As an experienced California relationship coach, I offer online counseling & coaching in California for individuals, couples, and families.
For more information, you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 949-385-2544 today for a free consultation.
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[…] For example, do you feel like you and your partner lack good communication skills? If so, tell your therapist. A good relationship requires great communication skills. […]