Conflicts are probably one of the common events that will occur in any type of partnership. You and your partner need to know how to manage conflict in a relationship and attract long-term relationship success.

Although conflicts are inevitable, it doesn’t automatically mean that the relationship is in deep trouble. Couples who work on their conflicts actually help improve their relationships. They arrive at solutions that benefit each individual and the relationship.

Tips to manage relationship conflict

If you really want to have long-term relationship success, you and your partner must find ways to help manage conflicts. Here are top tips to handle relationship conflicts according to Psychology Today:

1.  Don’t focus on the negatives

Focusing on the negative aspects of your relationship only makes the conflicts worse. When this happens, you throw a barrage of all the negative things that your partner did and discredit all the good things they’ve done.

Focus on what needs to be solved at the exact moment and learn to appreciate each other’s efforts in solving the conflict.

2.  Look at conflicts from a different perspective

To better manage conflicts, you have to understand where your partner is coming from and why they feel a certain way. Doing so lets you think of ways that can solve conflicts without taking each other’s feelings for granted.

3.  Your best asset – listen

Active listening helps lessen the conflicts, and it shows that you’re trying to understand how your partner feels. This prevents misunderstandings, and you’re showing your partners that you’re paying attention to what they’re saying and how they’re feeling.

4.   Stop beating around the bush

It can be difficult to express how you really feel because you don’t want to offend your partner. However, being direct with what’s bothering you actually helps the other person to understand what needs to be done.

Couples who continuously avoid discussing problems may find themselves in irreversible consequences. It’s best to address conflicts as they happen or find the best time to do so. 

When managing conflicts, make sure that you’re direct with the issue and don’t let it take different twists and turns that may confuse you and your partner.

5.  Learn to take a break

If you find your relationship having too many conflicts, and it feels overwhelming, maybe it’s time to take a break. Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself and don’t be pressured into talking about the conflict immediately.

Mirah’s challenge for you today

Allow yourself to go through emotions when you think about something that annoys you. Name these emotions and develop the courage to speak up. You must learn to calmly express how you feel about a particular situation that’s been aggravating you so the other person is aware of how you feel.

Conclusion

When it comes to dealing with conflict, face it with calmness and always remember your goal as a couple – to have long-term relationship success. Be direct about how you feel and make sure that you and your partner are putting in equal effort to solve the conflict.

Watch the video here.

If you want to learn more about relationships, join the Facebook group Long-Term Relationship Success.