8 communication mistakes that ruin a relationship

Communication is the foundation of any relationship, allowing each person to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs. However, certain communication styles can be destructive and detrimental to your relationship. It is important to be aware of this to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and the destruction of trust between partners.

Illustration photo

Criticize the opponent

Criticism involves attacking or blaming the other person, however instead of addressing a specific behavior or issue it can be damaging, making your partner feel attacked and defensive, leading to conflict that escalates and becomes more serious. So avoid criticizing your partner to create distance to keep the relationship healthy.

Defensiveness

Defensiveness is a response to criticism in which a person attempts to justify his or her actions or blame rather than take responsibility resulting in impeding effective communication and conflict resolution.

Contempt

Contempt involves showing disdain or disrespect for another person. It can be expressed through sarcasm, ridicule, or insults and is particularly harmful to relationships, leading to resentment and hurt feelings.

Angry, ignoring communication

Illustration photo

Blocking occurs when one partner withdraws from the interaction, refusing to engage in communication, leaving the other feeling ignored, invalidated, and frustrated, increasing the conflict between the two, with no tendency to resolve it amicably...

Emotional Deactivation

Invalidating a partner's emotions, including dismissing, minimizing, or ignoring their feelings, can make the partner feel unheard and unvalued, leading to resentment and distance in the relationship.

Mind reading

Mind reading involves assuming you know what someone else is thinking, feeling, or intending without actually asking them. It can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication, as no one can truly know what another person is thinking, so don't be too confident and arrogant when trying to read minds when communicating.

Recalling the past

Illustration photo

Bringing up past mistakes in arguments can be destructive because it prevents current issues from being resolved, leading to feelings of resentment and hurt, even heartache...

Loud, shouting when communicating

Raising your voice when a conflict becomes more intense over time, often leading to yelling or even physical aggression (snatching, slapping, yelling at your partner, etc.). This can be damaging to both your partner and the relationship as a whole.

Therefore, destructive communication styles can damage trust, intimacy, and emotional connection in relationships. It is essential to be aware of tact in communication. By practicing active listening, empathy, and respect for each other’s feelings, couples can cultivate a more positive and fulfilling relationship. Communication is not just about talking, it is about understanding, sympathizing, and understanding your partner so that they feel comfortable around each other.