Happy Thursday, TSO30! 🥳

I’m currently reading “Attached” by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller. There’s a section on the “5 principles of effective communication” that I think would be helpful to post here (paraphrased):

1. Wear your heart on your sleeve: be honest about your feelings

2. Focus on your needs: when expressing your needs, refer to needs that take your partner’s well-being into consideration. Use words like need, feel, and want.

3. Be specific: State what’s bothering you.

4. Don’t blame: don’t highlight the other person’s shortcomings. Never make your partner feel incompetent or inadequate.

5. Be assertive and non apologetic: expressing your relationship needs are crucial. Your concerns are valid and essential for your happiness.

I think the breakdown of any relationship (romantic, platonic) can be attributed to poor communication. While effective communication may not solve a problem, you can judge how important your well-being is to your partner by how they respond to you.

If they evade important topics or make you feel insecure when you share your thoughts and feelings, then it’s time to say goodbye 👋🏼