11/14/2025
Feel like your always fighting and getting nowhere?
Try these 5 Keys to Communicating more Relationally. 🔑
In Relational Life Therapy (developed by couples therapist Terry Real), these 5 concepts are 'keys' for experiencing healthy conflict.
Yes, I said healthy conflict. In a healthy relationship, there will be conflict. We just need to learn how to steward ourselves well during these times of turmoil.
1. START WITH "I"
✅ "I feel unheard when I'm interrupted."
instead of
❌ "You always interrupt me!"
"You" attacks. "I" shares your experience.
2. STAY KIND
Ask yourself: "Am I being the person I want to be right now?"
Stay kind, respectful, and fair—even when you're hurt. This doesn't mean being a doormat and shoving your feelings and needs aside. It means choosing to show up as your best self while expressing your feelings and needs.
3. SPEAK FOR REPAIR
Don't just dump. While you may walk away feeling lighter, the person your speaking to is left holding everything you just dumped on them. 🤮
Let your words out with the goal of solving the problem, together.
4. LISTEN TO LEARN
💗 Understanding each other's experience -- even if you disagree -- is key to finding a path towards resolution.
🚧 Defensiveness and Blaming only creates a greater divide between you and the other person.
5. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PART
Even if you're only 10% responsible, own that 10%.
✅ "It was unhelpful of me to say that. I'm sorry."
❌ "Well, I only did that because YOU..."
WHAT THESE RULES DO:
✨ Less defensiveness
✨ More understanding
✨ Quicker resolution
✨ Both people feeling heard
The hard reality is you can't control whether your partner follows these rules.
The GOOD news YOU CAN control whether you do. 🙌
And when one person shows up relationally, it can shifts the entire dynamic.
CHALLENGE:
Pick ONE rule to focus on this week. See what changes.