Thornhazel :
My hubby drew a “line in the sand” early on when we started dating. He made it clear that we will not go to bed angry or if anything upsets me, I should tell him because he is not a mind reader. He set up a way for us to communicate, we call it an open conversation, where we sit down and discuss what is troubling us in a respectful manner. Whomever initiated the conversation states what the issue is, how it makes them feel or how it’s affecting our relationship from their perspective. Then the recipient of the conversation, should take a few hours, days or weeks (maximum a month) to mull it over and think about what was said. Then the recipient reopens the conversation and discuss from their perspective. Sometimes we’d bring note books with or spreadsheets or whatever the situation needs to support or provide for the conversation. Then we talk things out, sometimes this might take a few breaks of backwards and forwards of opening the conversation, depending what it is about. We never argue, we do bicker about the small stuff or do get snippy about them and we do sort it out. But the big stuff that effects each individual in the relationship is taken seriously. It works for us, but over the past 18 years, it’s made us stronger and I believe we both feel heard and loved. So sometimes when I just respond “it’s fine” he just stares at me, then I have to ensure him it doesn’t mean we are not fine or I’m just saying it because I want to keep the peace 😅. It was so weird when we started this, but I love him more because of how thoughtful and considerate he is to me. Sometimes it’s the little things that makes a big impact too. Like I would say I e.g. I am running low on my foundation & need to get more soon. During his lunch break he would go buy me some & surprise me with it that evening. Like he would leave his lunch container on the kitchen bench and when you move it, behind it the foundation was hidden. Yes I update his notes on his phone on what I want or use etc.😅
2026-05-08 16:50:57