Communication in friendships
Hey guys I find it is a common thing to struggle with communicating with our friends sometimes, so I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions for the same
How do you usually approach for difficult/ confrontational conversations?
Any other ideas or thoughts
I hope we can learn from each other's experiences 💕 so feel free to share!
I deal with communication issues all the time in friendship and in general. Its so hard for sure you're not alone
@Leanna3333 thanks! It is nice to not be alone :) is there something that you find helpful in such situations tho?
Well thats a tough one only cause I'm still figuring it out as well too. It is very very important to address your needs and wants in friendships or any relationship as well. Difficult part is that some people may not agree with it which is ok that's where it may be time to connect with those people that share the same wants and needs as you . I'm currently experiencing that myself in current relationships. I'm torn between what to do vs what I need to do. Very challenging indeed. Glad to know I'm not alone either. Its very frustrating and emotionally draining for sure. Don't give up keep trying!!!!!❤😄❤
@Optimisticempath
As someone who also struggles with communication, I try to be upfront about my thoughts and emotions when talking with friends. If I don't confront a friend about an ongoing problem, then it can cause tension anyway and hurt our friendship! So I prefer to handle these issues sooner than later. I try to keep the following in mind:
1) First tell your friend you want to discuss something, and make sure both of you have a good opportunity to talk. Agree on a time and space where both of you feel comfortable discussing the problem. Sometimes friends are busy with their own stressors and life issues, which is not your fault. They may not be able to respond fully or give you their full attention. Maybe they had a bad day, and get defensive or angry when you mention the issue.
2) Don't attack. Maybe you feel angry, but you can express this without lashing out or blaming. It is fine to be honest and direct, but that does not mean ranting with no filter. Often when we get upset, we tend to say angry things that we don't really mean. Some people recommend phrasing your concerns with "I feel..." statements rather than "you did..." to make them seem less accusatory.
3) Express your concerns and emotions clearly. Try to help your friend understand your values, goals, and how things look from your perspective. I like to write things down first to ensure that they are clear and understandable before I tell them to someone else.
4) Listen to your friend's perspective. Even if you think you understand the full problem, maybe you are missing some information or insight that your friend knows. Or maybe your friend has similar feelings as you, but did not express them until you had this conversation.
Very wise tips @integerUnderflow thanks so much for sharing <3