They may need constant reassurance, be very controlling, or behave in a manner that is over-sensitive. Perhaps worst of all, you get a sense that they don’t trust you. You didn’t ask for it but the onus is mostly on you to bring this topic to the forefront. Obviously, such a conversation must happen face-to-face. But what else can you do to make the discussion productive and helpful? 

Sure, it might sound New Agey but it also has tangible value in the material world. Whether we are in touch with it or not, we all experience challenges during childhood. More than two-thirds of children experience at least one trauma before they turn 16. These experiences very much influence how we think and behave as adults.

Of course, there is no single trait that automatically trumps the rest. But being on the same mental wavelength can feel magical. It contributes to healthy communication. You have such wonderful conversations. And you’re able to be comfortable with silence when it feels right for both of you. 

Communication is a key element of any relationship. But what happens when your partner appears to actively avoid such interactions? This is not only frustrating. It can leave you feeling neglected and even abandoned. However, if your partner has an avoidant attachment style, this dynamic is not unusual.

Like all emotions, jealousy is normal and basically inevitable in small doses. If handled productively, jealousy can lead to positive outcomes for you and your partner. However, far more often, jealousy is rooted in past issues and can cause a wide range of issues. This is why it is so critical that couples talk openly and honestly about their feelings.

ometimes it’s really hard to be in relationship and ask for what you need. At times, it’s easier to be ambiguous and not really ask because it means not really risking anything. It means never being rejected.

But there’s a real cost to that. It means that it’s more likely that your request never gets seen as a request.

That steady work can be summed up as “participation.” You may have heard about the importance of listening and not fixing things. But here’s another, equally difficult thing to do: stand up to your partner with love. This means that when things aren’t right for you, you say something. It means when you want to order Thai food and not pizza, you say it. It means when you feel there’s been unfairness and you need something different, you say it. While remembering that this is a person you love.

To some degree, every couple will have one partner who is more reliable. This dynamic can grow to a point where both partners harbor deep resentment. But here’s the biggest problem with parenting your parter: they end up assuming the role of the child and children don’t get married.

As with most carved-in-stone truisms, “never go to bed angry” is not a one-size-fits-all credo. When pondering this concept, it makes the most sense to examine why it may work in some instances while making things worse at other times. 

Relationships are a lot of work. Part of that work is staying in tune with where the work needs to be done. After the honeymoon phase, it’s dangerously easy to slip into routines and rhythms. In such a state, you can take each other for granted. The little gestures no longer seem necessary. In turn, the bigger gestures fall down the list of priorities. 

This is a time to communicate your needs before things get dicey. It’s important to start he process when it’s calm for the same reason people prepare an evacuation plan before there’s a fire. When you’re both calm, the conversation is more likely to be constructive. If you have concerns and anxieties about a holiday gathering, do not keep them to yourself.

People who are from different cultures may not understand the nuances of being from your culture. This goes double for people who are from the “dominant” culture. Everything from how you adapt your food to the local vegetable market to how turkey AND noodle dishes are served in Thanksgiving.

In your relationship, the words,“We need to talk” can provoke anxiety. Yet, they are vital to every relationship. Pushing down feelings and brushing aside uncomfortable thoughts are almost a Minnesota tradition. But doing so can build resentment and leave you feeling disconnected and alone. So taking relationship dealbreakers head-on is essential to relationship health.

When traveling with your partner, it can be quite a blend of fun and friction. Let’s consider a recent study. It found that 17 percent of romantic partners cut short vacations due to the fights they were having. One in five couples reported breaking up right after a stressful getaway. It’s not exactly what those travel ads promise, huh?

…I’m asking you to tell them what you need in a way that they can hear. So you can be seen and heard. Instead, I'm guessing that you’re getting into a fight, or they’re shutting down or going away. Wouldn’t you rather they understand what your needs are and respond with compassion and interest?

. . .That being said, Cultural conflicts can be the main source of conflict. This article is about ways couples can overcome those challenges. When culture becomes the primary conflict, it can feel to one or both people that their spouse or partner is taking the side of an oppressing culture. This reality reinforces the need for solidarity and to embrace doing the work. It’s critical to go into this scenario with being united as a priority.

In the big picture, this is a societal or global concern. In terms of romantic relationships between people of different races, there is a personal factor that can impact a couple’s bond. Therefore, it’s healthy to identify potential challenges before they happen.

. . .This does not mean it has to be a grand gesture that you film and post on social media. Appreciation is conveyed in a variety of ways — many of them subtle and personal. It can land like a kiss on the forehead. In our hectic world, these simple acts bring us back to the present moment.