Communication is an important element of any relationship, which serves as the cornerstone for building love, trust, and intimacy. Getting to know each other on a deeper level, discovering your partner’s goals in life, or recognizing what makes the other person tick can be acquired through proper communication. Without it, all hopes for a long-lasting, healthy relationship becomes shattered. So, how can we harness the power of effective communication? First, let’s establish why it’s necessary to talk and what causes communication breakdown.

Have you ever been faced with a dilemma where your husband of many years suddenly winds up being distant and resentful for no apparent reason? Have you experienced loss of intimacy in a relationship? Have you ever been in a situation where your girlfriend wants to end the relationship due to a life-changing event? When this happens, you are left emotionally crippled amidst all the hurt and confusion. So, what went wrong? The lack of communication or miscommunication definitely played a huge role. That’s why it’s highly suggestive to hold a discussion on anything and everything concerning the relationship.

When couples have been together for awhile, they develop a routine, become preoccupied with their busy lifestyles, and/or drift apart while pursuing other interests. These habits usually weaken communication among couples. Another contributing factor that affects communication is that some people, especially men, have difficulty verbalizing their feelings and what they want to get out of the relationship. Sometimes they are likely to mask their true feelings by agreeing with their significant others to appease them even when it involves sacrificing their own happiness. In other cases, some people just refuse to articulate their feelings to avoid impending arguments.

In an effort to strengthen commitment with one another and sustain a loving, enduring relationship, couples need to make time to talk about their aspirations, work activities, frustrations, disappointments, and so forth on a daily basis. It’s essential to discuss both positive and negative topics alike. How else can your partner know that something is bugging you or your goals have changed if you don’t share any of these sentiments with him/her? Here are some suggestions on how to improve your communication skills with your partner:

Tip: Listening is an integral aspect of communication. If your mate is trying to tell you something, listen and do not interrupt. If you notice that he/she is having a tough time communicating, be patient in listening. Sooner or later, words will start pouring out.

Tip: Schedule some time for a dialogue. If you’re both extremely busy due to work, children, and other obligations, you definitely need to schedule at least 30 minutes a day to chat. The best time is before bedtime.

Tip: Express interest in your partner’s pursuits to increase flow of communication. If you shift your attention to your companion wholeheartedly, it will just become a natural process for him/her to confide in you and engage in a more meaningful conversation.

Tip: If you find it challenging to verbalize what you need to say, assert yourself in writing. There’s certainly nothing wrong with sending your mate a letter or email. It’s better than keeping it bottled up to avoid resentment or animosity.

Communicating properly to your significant other can be challenging, but like anything else, practice makes perfect. It you’re willing to maintain a thriving relationship based on love and trust, you need to accept the fact that communication is key.