The Unsung Hero of Relationships: Open Communication

Relationships can be a wild ride on a rollercoaster at times, twists, turns, ups and downs, good times, bad times, sometimes it can make you want to vomit, but other times it can excite you to levels you didn’t know were possible. When you step back and think about it, every relationship has its set of quirks, inside jokes, and moments that leave you scratching your head, wondering, "How did we get here?" Open and honest communication is a hallmark of a healthy relationship. It is also something that every woman has complained about their boyfriend being bad at.

Society makes it easy for women to say “He was a bad communicator” when their relationship failed because it is such a common cliche. I have met some women who are unbelievably good in their communication, I have also met some women who are some of the worst communicators of on the planet. Poor communication in a relationship is often times two people in the same car not knowing where they are at, where they are going, why they want to get there, or what is the best way to get to where they want to get to. Eventually, the car just gets stuck in traffic until one person decides to get out and walk or get a ride with someone else in a different car.

Imagine this: You walk into a restaurant, hoping to enjoy a good meal. Now, let’s say this restaurant had a peculiar rule where you weren’t allowed to tell the waiter exactly what you wanted. Instead, you just gave vague hints and hoped for the best. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that's what a relationship without open dialogue feels like. You're constantly guessing, and more often than not, you end up with something you didn't order.

Having a platform for an open dialogue is the menu of your relationship. It tells your partner precisely what you're feeling, what's bugging you, and what you hope for in the future. It saves you the trouble of hinting and the agony of misinterpretations.

Now, here's a real-life gem I stumbled upon. Remember when I mentioned those quirks of relationships? Well, one of the best quirks to introduce is the "check-in" time. Just like you'd set aside a night for a date or a day to run errands, why not carve out a regular slot just to...talk?

This isn’t just your everyday banter about whose turn it is to take out the trash or what movie to watch on Friday night. This is deeper. This is about discussing feelings, concerns, aspirations—the real juicy stuff.

Think of it as maintenance for your relationship. Much like you'd take your car in for a regular service, these "check-in" times ensure that all parts of your relationship are running smoothly. And if they aren't? Well, you've got a platform to discuss it without the whole thing breaking down on the freeway.

It’s amazing how these chats can turn an average day into an unforgettable one. You might be having an 8.0 day, but after a heartfelt "check-in," it can easily feel like a 10.

So here's my challenge for you. The next time you're with your partner, initiate a "check-in." Dive into those waters of open communication. It might feel a bit odd at first, almost like you're in unfamiliar territory, but soon it'll become a habit. A habit that has the power to transform your relationship in ways you never imagined. Because, as I've learned, it's not always the grand gestures that matter; sometimes, it's just about having the right conversation at the right time.