Communication

Almost every relationship starts with poor communication. There's no way that you can communicate with your significant other if you are constantly watching tv, playing video games or are constantly on your computer. You need to set aside time for each others to discuss issues that you may or may not be having. Below are a few different ways that you can work on communication issues with your loved one.

1. Make Time For Each Other - Yes, you should, for lack of a better phrase, make an appointment with each other to talk about any problems that you are having. Make sure you won't be interrupted. Turn all of your electronics off. Set your phones to vibrate. Ensure that no one will be coming to visit, and just talk. Tell each other what you are feeling. What you do and not like about what they have been doing. This is a for sure way to help with your communication issues.

2. Find a Public Place- If you and your partner are unable to communicate with each other without shouting, transfer your discussion to a public place. While in public you will want to keep your voice down, in order to avoid making a scene. Go to your public library to discuss your issues. The library is the perfect place, considering  you are required to keep your voices down.

3. Set Up Rules- To make things easier on both of you, set up some ground rules for your conversation. If your partner tends to interrupt you when you are speaking, then one of your rules should be not to disrupt the other until they are through saying what they have to. Also, another problem is to place the blame on the other individual. In this case, you should ban phrases such as; you always or you never.

4. Listen!- The most effective way to clearly communicate with your partner is LISTEN TO THEM. Nod at the appropriate times so that the other person knows that you are hearing what they are telling them. Re phrase what was said if you think it's necessary. Anything that lets them know that you ARE listening and are willing to work on the issue at hand. Don't doodle or look at your watch. They need to be assured that you are truly getting the message they are trying to send, and if you are doing either of these they're going to think you are uninterested, and become more withdrawn from you.

Basically, communication is just that. Talking to your partner about issues that you have, and listening to what they have to say in return. It's not a difficult process, and if you can manage this, I can almost guarantee that it will save you and your loved one a lot of grief.