Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one person to another. Every communication involves (at least) one sender, a message and a recipient. This may sound simple, but communication is actually a very complex subject. There are many other subtle ways we communicate (sometime unconsciously or unintentionally), this can include body language, gestures, how we stand, our tone etc..
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ask a Therapist
- I hate that my partner will never answer a direct question.
- My partner is always interrupting me and it drives me crazy.
- Why is it so hard to communicate with my partner?
- Why does it seem we speak different languages?
- How can we fix communication problems in marriage?
- How do you communicate with a difficult spouse?
- Communicating with my spouse causes me stress.
- My spouse doesn’t listen.
- How do I get my relationship back on track?
Ask a Therapist
- I hate that my partner will never answer a direct question.
- My partner is always interrupting me and it drives me crazy.
- Why is it so hard to communicate with my partner?
- Why does it seem we speak different languages?
- How can we fix communication problems in marriage?
- How do you communicate with a difficult spouse?
- Communicating with my spouse causes me stress.
- My spouse doesn’t listen.
- How do I get my relationship back on track?
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I hate that my partner will never answer a direct question
I can identify with you. Many of us like direct discussions. Questions and answers. Others, however, keep talking until the answers float to the surface. For those listening it can be exasperating because you have to travel down rambling rabbit trails to arrive at what you are not sure is even an actual answer. One thing you can do is politely echo back to them what you understand their answer to be. “So, what I am hearing you say is you are not sure what you want to do tonight because you have lots of other things on your plate. Is this correct?” I know it is a very long way around to get a simple answer to a simple question, but I doubt if you will change how your partner tends to think and communicate. So, learn to accept and adapt.
My partner is always interrupting me and it drives me crazy.
We all agree that not letting someone finish their thought by interrupting them is socially rude and perhaps disrespectful. It frustrates us all. However, it is quite normal for your communication to trigger a thought that your partner does not have the impulse control to not speak to or the ram memory to hold unto until you have finished. So, they tend to interrupt. Frustrating, yes. Somewhat normal, yes! Just politely ask if they can hold on to their thought until you finish.
My partner is always interrupting me and it drives me crazy.
We all agree that not letting someone finish their thought by interrupting them is socially rude and perhaps disrespectful. It frustrates us all. However, it is quite normal for your communication to trigger a thought that your partner does not have the impulse control to not speak to or the ram memory to hold unto until you have finished. So, they tend to interrupt. Frustrating, yes. Somewhat normal, yes! Just politely ask if they can hold on to their thought until you finish.
Why is it so hard to communicate with my partner?
The quick answer to “Why it is so hard to communicate with my partner?” is we assume that communication is easy. It is not! It is as complicated as matching fingerprints.
Secondly, we often wrongly think that because we do not have difficulty communicating with others, the problem of communicating must be with our partner. The real truth is that there is no other relationship like marriage to compare communication patterns with. This kind of relationship is a very rare, delicate and a beautiful rose whose beauty is dependent upon special care.
Why does it seem we speak different languages?
While you both may be speaking the same language, you are not using the same words for the same purpose. Some people are ‘word technocrats’ and the weight of the message is built totally on the definition of each actual word spoken. Others communicate with stories and metaphors that do not value the precise definition of words as much as the intended message. This one single difference in communication styles can totally frustrate people. Online therapy is a way to become more aware and accepting of your partner’s love language.
How can we fix communication problems in marriage?
It takes work. It takes accepting that their communication style may not be yours. Try to seek to understand rather than to be understood.
How do you communicate with a difficult spouse?
Wow, this is a million-dollar question!
Begin by telling them to stop being difficult. Just kidding!
Because there are so many ways someone might actually be perceived as being difficult, it is a tough question.
However, the first thing you might want to do is choose to believe that they are not trying to be difficult just to bug you. This will lower your own natural defenses, helping you not take things so personally. This will improve your communication by at least 30%. A 30% return on your investment is not a bad return.
Communicating with my spouse causes me stress.
Welcome to marriage! No seriously, this is not unusual. However, sharing in the company of a therapist your desire to nonjudgmentally hear your partner clearly, letting your partner know what seems to get in the way of your listening or speaking, can be very helpful. As we age, we need to continue to sharpen our tools of communication. We need to do better. We can all benefit from a good therapist, whether face-to-face or online.
My spouse doesn’t listen.
Sometimes they are not aware that they are not listening. Try not to personalize it. Often you have said something that has sent their brain off to think in another direction without them actually being aware of it This happens unconsciously. For many people (men more than women) listening for long periods of time takes a lot of concentration and it is hard work. For some listening is completely exhausting. They just can’t keep up. Keep conversations short.
How do I get my relationship back on track?
Let your partner know how important they are to you; that you do not want to take them for granted. Tell them you want to work with them to get the relationship back on track. Your relationship is a high priority. Ask them if would be willing to work with you on it. Then call someone for help!
