"After the Argument or Fight: 3 Ways to
Reconnect" by Susie
and Otto Collins Literally
every relationship has had them--
misunderstandings and arguments. It might have been a huge
fight where either or both of you said or did things you now
regret. Or it could have been a "quiet" miscommunication
that left you feeling suspicious or very confused.
Regardless
of the intensity of the argument or misunderstanding, the
resulting disconnection between you two is probably uncomfortable
and not conducive to having
the relationship you really want.
You may
be feeling hurt and even mistrustful in the aftermath of whatever
happened between you and your partner.
You might wonder if he or she will ever really understand
your "side" of a situation. It could feel like you
don't really know your mate as well as you thought you did.
It could
also seem that you two will never see eye to eye on this subject--
or at all-- and that your voice is being squashed down all
of the time. These are all valid feelings.
But if
your intention is to move beyond the wall that now seems to
exist between you two, you probably want to look toward finding
resolution and letting go of what happened.
As you rebuild trust and regain connection, you can also begin
to take down that wall and move closer to your mate.
How do
you do all of that? What are some ways to close that gap and
reconnect with the one you love?
Here are some tips to try....
Tip #
1: Discover and ask for what you need.
Go within and ask yourself what questions you need answered,
issues you need addressed, or actions you need to happen in
order to feel a sense of resolution with whatever happened.
This could vary in terms of "bigness" or "smallness,"
but the effects can be just as powerful.
Perhaps
your partner has been e-mailing with a former boyfriend or
girlfriend and, when you found out about it, you blew up and
your partner became defensive claiming that he or she is innocent
and just wants to renew a friendship with this former mate.
While
the dust has settled on the argument, the issue remains unresolved
and you still feel suspicious and fearful. Ask yourself what
you need to happen in order to move on?
This might be a promise that your partner will not e-mail
with the former partner. It could be that you want your partner
to share more information with you about this renewed friendship.
Or, it could be you decide
to trust what your love is saying. Whatever you decide, ask
your partner to help you meet these needs as best as he or
she can.
Tip #2:
Listen to your partner's needs.
Chances are quite high that your love may also be feeling
the effects of the disconnection between the two of you. Just
as he or she listened to what you need in order to let go
of the argument or misunderstanding, give your partner that
same gift.
Keep your heart open and, for the moment, just listen. You
don't have to make a snap decision about what action (if any)
you will take. Listen and consider all possibilities.
It could
be your partner has realized that there are unresolved issues
with this former boyfriend or girlfriend.
Your love does not want or intend to get back together with
this person, but would like a deeper sense of closure about
some aspect of that past relationship. As threatening as the
e-mailing may feel to you, this could end up allowing your
partner to be more fully present and open with you.
Tip #3:
Stay present and future-focused.
Avoid revisiting the particulars of the argument or misunderstanding
unless you absolutely have to. Playing "you said, I said"
will probably reignite the tension and solidify that wall
between you two. Instead, address those needs you shared with
one another as best you can-- for yourself and for your partner.
Share
with your partner what your vision of your futurerelationship
looks like. You might see a relationship where you better
support one another emotionally, trust one another more completely,
listen to one another with more openness and feel more deeply
connected.
Your vision
could be as general or as specific as you'd like it to be.
Listen to the vision your love has and look for ways those
visions overlap. Celebrate this vision and keep it in your
focus as you take steps toward it and away from the past.
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Relationship coaches Susie
and Otto Collins, authors of "Should You Stay or Should You
Go?" and "No More Jealousy" are experts at helping people get
more of the love they really want. Learn the 5 keys to a closer,
more loving relationship, click below for your free 5-part mini-course:
http://www.Relationshipgold.com
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