What's your best advice for communication in a relationship? Everyone says it's key, but what does everyone do to make sure it goes well?

[wanderlustmess]

Do you write out your thoughts and feelings? Do you make time to sit with your thoughts and feelings before bringing them up to your partner? How do you get them to understand your point of view when they struggle to understand or see it?

[caring__1]

A key communication challenge is when people insist on being heard rather than showing true interest in understanding the other person's perspective. We're unlikely to receive that which we don't give.

As far as writing out your thoughts and feelings, that can be very helpful. After writing, we can read and edit our words, clarifying and taking into consideration how our words might impact others.

Thinking about your long-term objective before having the conversation can be helpful, as it can keep you on track. Dwelling on what you want to say can prevent you from being open to alternatives.

Don't start a conversation with a conclusion. Use the opportunity to explore and broaden your perspective. If you wait till you've already come up with the answer before initiating the conversation, you'll probably come across rigid, insensitive and minimizing of the other.

When people are showing a decent effort to understand you, yet can't quite get what you are saying, ask them to share what they are hearing in their own words. Once you hear what they are hearing, it might be easier for you to clarify the items that are getting lost in translation.

[wanderlustmess]

Your reply is very insightful and helpful, thank you so much!

[caring__1]

You're welcome.

[whitewolf]

Everyone says that but not everyone is good at communicating or even tries. I think the key is 3 things, one actually talk to them even about hard stuff, two be honest, and three take what they say seriously. It sounds simple but its easy to not do any one of the things well.

[Anonymous]

Always be open and honest.