5 STEPS FOR DEALING WITH CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS
Dealing with Conflicts in Relationships
It is impossible to be in a relationship and not have to deal with some form of disagreement at some point. The relationship we have with God reflects on relationships we establish with others. Sometimes, you can love someone so deeply, but he/she ends up hurting you the most. Conflicts can be disagreements or ongoing disagreements in a relationship. Although they can be stressful and challenging, conflicts can help to clarify issues. They can cause anger, or they might arise because you are angry at something else.
Relationship conflicts can be personal and unpleasant. It is important to resolve conflict peacefully in a relationship if you want to keep your partner. Various strategies are useful for conflict resolution.
Choose a Strategy
Dealing with conflicts requires commitment from both parties; this is why it’s necessary to discuss how to deal with disagreements in the early stages of your relationship. Agree on various ways to end conflicts with your partner. Also, discuss how your behavior when you are angry and help each other deal with it. For instance, if you get violent when you’re angry, it’s better to take a walk and cool off before talking with your partner. Even if you’re not a violent person, it is important to walk away when you’re angry and talk later when you can think clearly.
Focus
When dealing with a disagreement, it’s tempting to bring up your partner’s past mistakes. It feels right to express all the things bothering you at once, getting everything off your chest. Unfortunately, this is a bad idea that overshadows the present conflict and makes it hard to find a solution or a mutual understanding of the issues. It creates exhaustion and confusion. Stay away from past conflicts and topics. Focus on the present situation and ways to find a solution and understanding.
Be a Good Listener
Most times, people don’t listen; they are thinking about their next response. Stop doing this when you find yourself not paying attention. Listen to the points your partner raises and try to understand the things that hurt or make him insecure. There’s no communication without active listening. Don’t interrupt, correct, or get defensive; wait for your turn to raise issues or offer solutions. Reflect on your partner’s points and base your discussion on them instead of raising new issues outside the disagreement. When you listen, your partner also listens to you.
Change Your Mindset
A relationship is made of 2; you cannot always have your way, but you can compromise and have a healthy relationship. You want to feel that your partner hears and understands you during a conflict. You talk about your viewpoint and try to convince the other party to see things your way. This is understandable; however, try not to focus on yourself too much. Your partner also wants to be heard and understood. Try to see things their way and work out a solution for mutual benefit.
Be Willing to Apologize
Apologizing can save your relationship even if you believe you were right. However, this doesn’t apply if your partner is unfaithful or violent. It’s important to accept when you’re wrong and apologize to your partner if you want to keep your relationship. This doesn’t mean that you were wrong; you can apologize for your actions during the conflict, like shouting, name-calling, or even walking out during a conversation. Saying sorry means that you are willing to work on the disagreement because you value the relationship.
Conclusion
Conflicts are challenging and exhausting to handle. Sometimes you might feel hurt and unheard, but the right thing to do is to find a solution with your partner. Communications the best way to handle disagreements in your relationships; if this fails, you can seek professional help.