Do you find yourself a bit concerned because suddenly, you have lost depth in the conversations you usually have with your partner? Many things can cause a lack of communication in a romantic relationship. It could be that the couple is not communicating enough or is not communicating effectively. It could also be that one or both partners are withholding information from each other about something going on, causing them stress, concern, worry, or fear. Whatever the cause, lack of communication can lead to problems in a relationship.
Communication is the process of transmitting information through a common system or channel. It involves the sharing of thoughts, feelings, and facts with others. Communication can be verbal or nonverbal. Verbal communication includes talking, listening, reading, and writing. Verbal communication is the most common form of communication within a relationship. When people talk to each other, they share their thoughts and feelings. Talking allows us to share ideas and thoughts because it is the only way we can speak with another person who may be far away from us.
Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Nonverbal communication communicates our emotions and thoughts without using words. For example, how we stand or sit can signify how we are feeling at the moment. Facial expressions are another form of nonverbal communication that can tell much about our feelings or thoughts. Gestures are a way of communicating without using words and can mean different things in different situations. Body language is another form of nonverbal communication.
Body language can tell us how someone is feeling or what they are thinking. However, nonverbal communication often leads to verbal communication that may sound like, “why are you giving me that look?” or “you seem awful tense this evening.” Communication of this type can happen on a conscious or subconscious level. For example, if something is bothering you or your partner profoundly, but you are not entirely wanting to discuss it sometimes, it simply leaks out through nonverbal communication.
Some solutions include two trains of thought. Some believe that sitting down and hashing things out is the way to go, while others see giving each other space to process their emotions, ideas, and feelings before communicating as the best route. But, again, it depends on your personality, the type of communication you and your partner have engaged in, and the urgency of whatever is causing the decline in your communication. In addition, some things that need to be dealt with immediately can wait.
Whatever path you choose, ensure it includes returning to healthy communication because your relationship needs to continue growing. If you and your partner find a common denominator in the cause of your lack of communication, it is best to tackle it together. Being open and honest with each other is a starting place. Each partner should recognize their role in the lack of communication and do the best they can to correct what is causing the issue. Do not try to fix each other. Start with yourself.
So if you are struggling with a communication hiccup, begin with a reflective assessment of yourself, then consider your partner’s current needs and stressors. Perhaps the communication gap has nothing to do with you but life circumstances. If your gap does concern your relationship with each other, then there is no time like the present to move forward on healing the problem at hand. Keep it real and be honest so the rest can fall in place.
