{"id":1626,"date":"2021-09-24T22:06:19","date_gmt":"2021-09-24T22:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.couples-experience.com\/?p=1626"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:22:53","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:22:53","slug":"communication-or-compromise-in-a-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/couples-experience.com\/communication-or-compromise-in-a-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"Communication or Compromise In A Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"
“Compromise, communication, and consistency are needed in all relationships, not just romantic ones.” –\u00a0 Alex Elle.<\/b><\/p>\n
Ever heard of the three C’s? When broken down, the 3c\u2019s are compromise, communication, and commitment. Finding a perfect balance between all three can seem tricky but scaling through it is vital for you and your partner. As humans, we constantly communicate with one another, consciously and subconsciously. Communication doesn’t only come in the form of literal words. We can also communicate through nonverbal methods like body language, facial expressions, and our overall behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, when you’re doing something wrong, and your mom gives you a stern look; she has communicated her intentions to you through her facial expression. Communication in a relationship entails more than just connecting with your partner via verbal or physical means, it also has to do with understanding your <\/span>partner’s point of view<\/span><\/a>, offering your support, and making them aware that you are their number one fan.<\/span><\/p>\n If there is one thing you and your better half need to do sooner rather than later, it’s learning how to compromise in your relationship. This is a unique skill in various situations, from fixing problems in your sex life to choosing a location for your next vacation. Compromise is simply coming together and finding a solution that is agreeable to you and your partner. It shows the relationship itself is more important than being “right” all the time. It proves that you’re approaching life’s challenges as a couple and as two people who want to make decisions that work for each other, together. Compromise is all about telling your story so when you have something on your mind, you should communicate how you feel, give your partner some time to think about the issue, and time to adjust accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n Let me tell you a true story. Tyler posted on Facebook recently. He shared his experience with his girlfriend as they coordinated a much-anticipated movie night. Tyler said that he wanted to re-watch the latest Fast and Furious action film, while his girlfriend Ashley wished to re-watch her favorite movie, Sex and the City 2. In the post, Tyler said, the two of them could not come up with a movie to watch that was of interest to them both (maybe they should have tried Netflix ;)). Tyler felt the continuous argument would lead to nothing so he eventually gave in and told Ashley that they could watch her fave \u2013 Sex and the City 2 movie. He noticed how pleased Ashley was by this decision, but the truth is, he was a little sad that he ended up conceding. The compromise he made didn\u2019t seem like a big deal at the time; however, it contained a specific pattern that could be problematic when more complex situations arise. Ashley might have genuinely felt like Tyler conceding and getting her way is a form of ‘compromise.’ After all, he had ‘compromised’ what he wanted, for her to be happy. On the other hand, unbeknownst to Tyler, she may have had the faint thought that next time, they’ll watch the movie that Tyler wanted to see.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From this story, you can see that Tyler and Ashley failed to communicate their feelings to each other appropriately. They voiced their opposing views on the surface but didn’t really listen, nor consider what the other had to say. Their focus was on the situation and not on each other’s feelings. Although they may have reached a quasi-solution, it left one person down, and that was Tyler. In the end, the best thing to do would have been for Tyler to have an honest and open dialogue about how he was feeling with Ashley. The possible outcome would have been reaching a fair consensus to help both individuals moving forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When you and your partner openly communicate about an issue, you’re likely to reach a compromise that is entirely understood by you both. So instead of suppressing your displeasure, try to discuss your true feelings openly with your partner. This doesn’t mean being stubborn and refusing to listen, but rather being open and honest about what you’re finding difficult. In turn, it will be just as important for your partner to be able to do the same with you.<\/span><\/p>\n See here\u2019s the thing, when you and your partner speak openly about how you truly feel about a problem in a respectful manner, you\u2019re more likely to reach a fair result. And by talking about it, both parties understand how to make a decision that considers what is important to you both. Now, don\u2019t think communication and compromise will always result in an easy consensus. There will be times arguments may arise. Misunderstandings and frustrations may erupt, but to hash it all out can make or break a relationship for the long haul. Suppressing emotions and thoughts cause resentment. The point to always consider is reaching a consensus all the time doesn\u2019t have to be the goal. The goal should be to listen to understand, and know, most times, disagreements are more likely situations where one or both partners feel like they are not experiencing the emotional respect they deserve. It is less about the practical facts of the case. On a practical level, “taking turns” or “meeting in the middle” can be better than not being able to reach an agreement at all.<\/span><\/p>\n However, these practical methods should be considered secondary and shouldn’t overshadow the basic fact that you and your better half need to feel heard and appreciated. This my friends is the <\/span>true meaning of compromise in a relationship<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Through work. I\u2019m sure you have heard it before, relationships take work. No manual work, but spiritual, emotional, and foundational companionship work. Conscious compromising can happen even if you and your partner don’t share the same love language. In order to communicate better, you have to be willing to lay out all your issues and make an effort to speak to each other’s love languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow compromise can seem tricky<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why should you communicate with your partner when it comes to compromising?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How can couples communicate better with each other?<\/b><\/h2>\n