What if you and your significant other are experiencing this pandemic differently? What if you’re reacting differently? Maybe one of you is more worried than the other. A way to perhaps navigate that with this week’s Tune Up Tuesday – a little nugget you may be able to use to “tune up” your relationship. In addition to hosting this radio program, I am a masters level therapist in training.
I have a colleague here who is essential. He’s still coming in every day. His wife is really anxious about that and it’s been a source of conflict for them. He feels like she’s paranoid. She feels like he’s not taking things seriously enough.
Here’s my offering to them and to you – let your partner feel however they want to feel. Have some empathy, which means taking your best guess at naming the emotion you hear them expressing. If you can’t figure it out, you can say something like “It seems like you’re really upset or stressed.” Those catch alls may cover it. Having safe, connection driving conversations like this…where your partner feels like you’re at least trying to understand them – can be a great first step at navigating your differences.
