@scott.austin.martin: One of the fastest ways to tell whether someone has the capacity for repair is to listen to the adjectives they assign. She says: "When you ignored me, I felt hurt." He responds: "You were angry. You were frustrated. You were annoyed." Notice what's missing. He never names himself. Every adjective belongs to her. That's a subtle but powerful form of defensiveness. The conversation shifts from his behavior to her reaction. She's carrying the negative labels. He remains undefined, neutral, almost invisible. Secure people do something different: "I can see why you were frustrated. I was interrupting." "I understand why you felt hurt. I got defensive." "I can see why you shut down. I wasn't emotionally available." That's accountability. Not making yourself the villain — accurately naming your impact. Healthy relationships aren't built by becoming experts on your partner's emotional reactions. They're built by developing the courage to put words to your own behavior first. That's where repair begins. #relationships #menscoach #accountability #defensiveness #secureattachment
my ex would say. " im sorry you feel that way" and apparently that was an apology for him
2026-07-14 15:24:19
331
danalchemy :
Dismissive avoidance
2026-07-17 04:17:49
0
Terradactyl :
What about the “you’re mad & I don’t know what to do to say” so they do nothing?
2026-07-14 16:38:31
68
jessd_33 :
No matter how I word it he says I’m attacking him and telling him he’s a terrible person. I’ve just stopped bringing anything up which is probably exactly what he wanted anyway.
2026-07-14 17:00:28
52
Nan :
Yup. My ex boyfriend is my ex now because of his deep insecurity, defensiveness and reacting so extremely.
2026-07-14 18:48:29
50
Bruce :
I can tell my partner that im unhappy and why im unhappy and my partner takes everything as "you're just telling me I didn't everything wrong, its all my fault"- I cant point out problems that need fixed because it turns into being the victim
2026-07-14 15:34:08
28
Risto :
And also pair that with a change in behaviour too
2026-07-14 18:04:08
7
Pixieamazon :
with silence ... he NEVER repaired, he requested like a coward and slowly erased my wants, needs, and feelings. I honestly never felt more invisible and lonelier than I did in my marriage.
2026-07-16 19:47:22
2
September :
interesting that she described her emotion as hurt and your example he redefined it as anger and frustration. is there a purpose to relabeling her hurt as anger? my ex used to do that to me and it would make me crazy.
2026-07-14 16:11:46
16
Wallowall :
Lets normalize making these videos about behavior, without gender most of these go both ways. And a lot of people will feel justified in other areas instead of just taking the message well.
2026-07-15 10:11:10
2
carmelala🌻 :
This was the dynamic I noticed with my ex. He highlights my reaction, behaviour, and emotion. And you are right he never names himself in the situation, and when I identified the pattern for every conflict we had, I decided to walke away (after 2yrs being with him) because in the long run I will never, NEVER be emotionally safe in the relationship. His ego is more important than the relationship.
2026-07-14 16:11:22
7
KV :
When this happens, he often also doesn’t let me finish what I am saying, or will cut me off with a response, but then when I continue gets very angry and says I’ve cut him off again - but I wasn’t actually finished my train of thought, is that a thing?
2026-07-15 03:10:52
7
experimental_cin :
This is exactly what I am dealing with.
2026-07-14 15:03:01
8
SheIs :
this was the missing piece to my puzzle!! I understand one's emotions are not my responsibility to manage but I couldn't figure out how to take accountability for how I may have triggered them without over explaining my part. this is so simple and strong!
2026-07-15 12:24:44
0
MidwestNatalie :
It's the "Im sorry you feel that way" b.s. that I can't stand
2026-07-14 17:15:42
4
Jennstiktokpage :
Gen X men need to hear this.
2026-07-15 17:29:52
0
jennifer_laura49 :
Or what happens when the response is “ I am not trying to be defensive” ? I feel when he has to say that and point it out, he’s already being defensive but it’s more subtle and he thinks he’s being more self aware. To me it’s still hurtful and it gets us no where and I am still left holding the emotion bag.
2026-07-14 19:42:18
6
twez :
I do that but she just keeps going on and on
2026-07-14 23:38:50
1
Kea :
I don't see my bf getting to that point
2026-07-15 14:10:58
3
✨Bbkells444💫 :
Ah yes you’ve just commented on something that exist in relationships and society at large - men blaming women for literally everything.
2026-07-15 01:01:18
4
nico :
This is why my relationship ended earlier.
2026-07-16 14:58:46
2
Matilda Martini 🏳️🌈🇸🇪 :
My ex said "in sorry if you feel that way"
like what? I told you I feel that way🤣
2026-07-15 13:34:36
1
A :
He only describes himself but will try to justify his behavior
2026-07-14 22:17:50
2
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