Life Beyond Resentment — How to Repair a Broken Relationship
Whether a romantic relationship, an old friendship, or a familial bond, any relationship can grow strained. Even with the tough moments, some relationships are worth saving.
Though that’s easier said than done, there’s ways to fix any broken relationship.
Can You Repair Your Relationship?
Before you can fix your relationship, you need to see if there’s any chance you can save it. There are a few indications there’s something to repair. For example, constant bickering is a sign you’re attempting to communicate. This desire to talk shows effort and a longing to fix something.
Another sign is if you each refrain from stooping too low. This means avoiding name-calling, low blows, and crossing lines. If you’re not hurting each other, then you care about each other enough to take each other’s feelings into account.
If you express a desire to work hard, that’s another sure—and important—sign you can save your relationship. Every relationship requires work—the strained ones even more so.
Ways to Repair Your Relationship
The most important way to repair a relationship is through communication. Speak from your heart… and be honest. Don’t raise your voice or use accusatory language.
Try your best to stay calm… and…
If you’ve done something wrong, apologize.
Once you’ve worked through the main problem, you’ll need to make a commitment to continue improving. This means creating habits of appreciation and conversation. Express gratitude on a regular basis, and practice effective communication skills.
You may need to set aside time to spend together (or away from each other). You may need to work on establishing and maintaining boundaries. It’s also important to respect each other’s boundaries. Not only should you avoid crossing each other’s lines… you shouldn’t make fun of them, either. Even if a boundary seems random or nonsensical, there’s no telling it’s significance.
You’ll need to acknowledge that you’re different people. No matter how close you are or how much you have in common, you’ll have different assumptions and thought patterns. Acknowledging this will help you better understand each other’s positions.
Conclusion
Repairing a relationship requires time and effort. You may have to change your habits or thought patterns to accommodate each other. If you love each other, however, you’ll find these efforts worth it.
