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The 4 Most Common Relationship Problems -- And How To Fix Them - Barking Up The Wrong Tree
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Relationship Apocalypse
The Four Horsemen of The Relationship Apocalypse:
- Criticism: is staging the problem in a relationship as a character flaw in a partner.
- Defensiveness: responding to relationship issues by counterattacking or whining.
- Contempt: acting like you’re a better person than they are.
- Stonewalling: shutting down or tuning out.
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Building "Love Maps"
It means getting to know your partner really well, including his/her internal psychological world.
Ask questions, deep and personal ones. Get past“When will you be there?” or “Don’t forget to pick up milk.”
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Show Admiration
Admiration is about the story you tell yourself about your partner.
Masters see their partners as better than they really are. Disasters see their partners as worse than they really are.
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The "Story Of Us"
The best predictor of relationship success is how you and your partner tell your “story of us.”
Do you focus on the negative aspects or on the positive ones? Do you present your partner in a good light or in a bad light?
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Conversation
... is the most important part of a relationship.
How you start those serious relationship discussions predicts how the conversation goes. Start off positive and calm. And then listen.
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A “power imbalance” in a relationship
Power in relationships is the ability of each person in the relationship to influence each other and direct the relationship.
Being in control makes people feel good and may place the ...
Negative relationship dynamics
- The demand-withdrawal dynamic. One partner seeks change, discussion and a resolution to issues within the relationship, while the other partner is withdrawn, and tries to avoid the issues.
- The distancer-pursuer dynamic. One person tries to achieve a certain degree of intimacy with their partner, while the other considers this affection to be "smothering."
- The fear-shame dynamic. The fear and insecurity of one partner would bring out the shame and avoidance in the other.
Positive power struggle
Not all power struggles are destructive. Some types of power struggles allow growth within the relationship and encourage a deeper understanding and respect for each other.
While it is still a struggle, by the end of it, you have reached an understanding about which lines can be crossed, which not, and how much each partner is able to compromise.
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Good Relationships Take Work
Merging your own ever-shifting life, needs and wants with those of another person takes work if it is to succeed.
How much work it actually takes might ebb and flow, but expect to inve...
Your Partner’s Flaws
Loving your partner's flaws is not always realistic. Some people have habits that are slightly disgusting and impossible to "love."
Simply accepting them and learning how to shrug them off and minimize their importance is much more realistic.
Going To Bed Angry
The context might be such that you just can’t solve a problem before bed. Be realistic and settle for an agreement to never go to bed without at least deciding when to continue the discussion or argument.
Also, some people actually need to cool down before they can continue a productive discussion, so taking a break could be wise.
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The Negativity Bias
Any further action that is ...
Magnified Faults
The Negativity Effect magnifies and distorts your partner's faults, whether real or imaginary.
The partner starts to wonder why isn't there any appreciation for all the good that is being done, and why the focus is only on the one bad thing.
Going Downhill
Relationships, especially long-term ones, don't get better with time but are kept intact by avoiding decline.
Married couples find contentment in other sources and remain satisfied with each other, and if not so, then the marriage breaks down.