You stayed up all night talking about everything - your dreams and desires and even the things that scare or embarrass you. But then, as the relationship went a long, you stopped talking about so much. Everything became so heavy and meaningful.
In the beginning, things were great. There was a level of trust and open communication that created intimacy and understanding. So, what happened to that? Where did it go and how can you get it back?
I used to try to protect my partner from those heavy, bad moods and ugly thoughts. I went to my room and hung out until I felt like socializing again.
I thought I was noble in my ability to control what came out of my mouth.
I thought I was kind because I never let on what I was thinking.
But what I was doing was ruining my relationships. There was no relationship. I was cutting myself off from others and never allowing them to know me. They never knew what I was thinking or feeling or needing.
I was an island. A very lonely island.
I really thought that if I let people know the ugly thoughts, not only would they be hurt - but they would probably become angry and disown me - betray me, talk shit behind my back. I would be the outcast.
So I beat them to the punch! Hah! I'd banish myself to my own room (or apartment, as I got older). I'd banish myself to silence.
You can either have a N.I.C.E. (Not Interested in Connecting Emotionally) relationship... where you hide what is true out of fear. Or you can have an alive, real relationship with intimacy, compassion and understanding.
Some people withhold from their partner and add an extra zinger -- they put on a show of pain and discomfort in order to punish them. It's an effort to communicate just how much pain they're in. But none of it's verbalized. It's a show of the pain.
When you start keeping secrets and withholding,.. when you cut off the sharing of life force between you,... you're cutting off the intimacy in your relationship. Even if you think you're protecting your partner from painful or embarrassing thoughts - it's still destroying your relationship.
Relationships require sharing... both our dreams and desires along with our doubts and fears.
What are you feeling and what needs of yours are being met or not? ...
I'm happy because my need for support in keeping our home is being met.
I'm disappointed because my need for partnership isn't being met in the way we're handling our finances.
I'm sad because my need for connection isn't being met when you're out with your friends every evening.
You can find out more about this style of intimate communication, along with other advice on building healthy, intimate relationships, at our website: www MagicRelationship dot com.
Another tip: when you offer your feelings and needs, it's best to follow them with a request. If you offer them without a request, your partner won't know why you're giving them the information.
Do you want to be just heard?
Do you want advice?
Do you want to come up with a strategy for meeting your needs? Why the heck are you telling me this?
Often, a comment without a request will be taken as blame... which will lead to fixing, fighting or fleeing. Don't leave your poor partner hanging.
Paul and I recommend asking, "Would you tell me what you heard me say?" (Avoid saying 'could'- it implies they aren't intelligent enough to repeat you. And avoid saying "What did I say?" because what you said and what they heard are two different things.)
And one more tip: don't think that little behaviors are enough to be warranted as 'sharing feelings and needs.' Fixing your honey a cup of coffee in the morning is very sweet, but it may not communicate your feelings of love and contentment like actually verbalizing the information. "I love you so much", PLUS the cup of coffee goes much further.
Frowning and throwing around the bed covers while you make the bed may not adequately communicate your feelings and needs, either.
Instead, say: "I'm feeling disappointed because my need for support around the house isn't being met. Would you be willing to discuss a way to help that would also meet your needs?"
There's no room for misinterpretation there.
Try it out this holiday season: make a pact with your beloved to share absolutely ALL your feelings and needs for one day - the good, the bad and the ugly. Then follow the information with a request.
Be prepared to spend some time processing and discussing those feelings and needs as they come up.
However, try to avoid getting into BLAMING and 'FAULT' behind the feelings and needs. That tends to end up in a free-for-all about evaluations and judgments - who's right and who's wrong. Try to stick with feelings, needs and requests.
Try to do this on a day when you'll have the time.
You won't want to get cut off because you have to run to pick up the kids right when you're getting to the heart of an issue that's snuck up silently between you.
You're going to want to stay and hold each other and talk it through... and feel the intimacy of clearing out all of those old, crusty feelings and unmet needs that have been clogging the flow of love.
And, again, you can find out more about this style of intimate communication for relationships, at our website - www MagicRelationship dot com - a along with advice on building healthy relationships.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that things have changed since the last time you were interviewing. I mean that expectations have changed.
Your expectations, for example. If you're a Gen X or Gen Y employee, you want a job that will give you the skills to move on. Chances are within two or three years. In fact, most Gen Xers and Gen Yers will change career directions six or seven time in the course of their employment history. For you, job-hopping is the norm.
For older employees, stable growth is the norm. You're looking for opportunities to advance initially within your current organization. If not, then a deliberate, careful career move may make sense. But as you get closer to retirement this becomes less likely.
Everyone has different expectations they're looking to be fulfilled in the job market. But so do employers.
Employers' expectations have changed, too, since the last time you went interviewing. And if you can't understand and live up to their expectations, you're out . . . no matter how high-minded your personal motivations are.
For example, today's savvy employers are less interested in what you used to do for someone else as recorded on your resume. They want to know how you can make a contribution going forward. They're more interested to hear that you've taken the time to learn something about them and their organization. And come to the table with a proposal as to how, specifically, you can make a difference.
So, interviewing has changed. Of course, there are screening interviews where your resume will be your passport to get in front of HR types to see if you pass muster. You'll have to jump through all the predictable hoops to see if you're better than your competition.
If the employment gods are smiling on you, you may eventually get to meet face-to-face with the person who could be your next boss. Crunch time. This is where you have to be impressive. And I recommend you focus what you bring to the table going forward rather than a rehash of your work history.
Of course, you can avoid this whole traditional resume scene completely. You can use an amazing non-traditional system that bypasses all the hoops and competition. And lets you talk directly to a decision-maker where you engage in a meaningful dialog that allows you to show your stuff without worrying about any competition. Sound right for you?
Then check out "The World's Fastest Alternative Job Search System!" It can have you face-to-face with your next boss in a matter of days without all the interviewing hoopla. You can be entertaining a job offer in as little as two weeks!
Both Kristin Denton & Paul Megan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kristin Denton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marriage, Marketing. Kristin Denton & Paul Sterling teach Relationship Communication Skills - Live Seminars or Tele-Classes including - 4 Steps To Instant Intimacy & Understanding - Relationship-Wrecking Mistakes -To get a free copy of 'The 5 Mistakes Report' go to http://w. Kristin Denton's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Paul Megan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Employment, Careers and Job Hunting and Employment. Paul Megan writes for EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and non-traditional career advancement strategies . . . since 1985. Grab our stunning FREE REPORT: "How To Find A Job In As Little As 14 Days!" Click on RSS for insta. Paul Megan's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.