08/10/2023
When you have conflict in your relationship does your partner become defensive?
Do you feel attacked when your partner is upset with you?
Does your partner stonewall you if you are expressing emotions?
If any of the above apply to you this simple communication skill will be a game changer in your relationship! I feel statements are incredible in improving the healthy communication between you and your partner. We tend to deal in logic rather than emotion unfortunately. Take a look at this example.
Scenario: You spend two hours cooking a special dinner for your partner and your partner does not say thank you.
Response #1: You never appreciate anything I do. (unhealthy communication without expressing the emotion you feel)
Response #2: I feel hurt when I spend two hours on dinner and do not get a thank you because it makes me feel I am not appreciated. (healthy I feel statement)
NOTE: notice the very purposeful leaving out of the word 'YOU' in the second response. Your partner is not likely to feel defensive or angry when you use language like this AND by expressing your EMOTION rather than attacking the act of not saying thank you, your partner will be able to give you the support you need!
