Marriage counselors see everything with couples. They’re providing some advice and insight on some of the most common mistakes couples make. Here are a few:
- “One of the common mistakes I often see is a lack of communication and comfort with discussing difficult topics. When one partner is uncomfortable with discussing a topic, both partners are left feeling frustrated or dissatisfied."
- "Not listening. Most people listen to respond and don't listen to hear. This is what I spend the most time teaching couples how to do!"
- "Keeping score. A partnership is a team, not a competition. Whether a person keeps a score of everything they have done or everything their partner has done, it is a death knell for the relationship. This is one of the most common causes of resentment.”
- "Expecting that because your significant other knows you better than others and is around you most, they are aware of all of your thoughts and feelings. Your partner is not psychic.”
- “Not expressing gratitude towards your partner on a regular basis. Experiences and expressions of gratitude can have a really positive effect on psychological well-being as well as relational strength."
- "The main one would be expecting one person to be everything for them. You need friends, coworkers, a support system, and hobbies."
- "People don't learn to fight. You have to fight fair in a relationship. People go nuts when they get mad, and some couples never learn to fight in a way that honors the person they are fighting with.”
Source: Buzzfeed