Rebuilding Relationships
To repair a damaged, strained, or tense relationship, it’s important to engage in practical strategies that help rebuild and strengthen it. Use these three methods: acknowledge and apologize, stop, and spend quality time together, to get a relationship back on track.
Acknowledge and Apologize
After an argument or disagreement, take the initiative and address tension or uncomfortable feelings, take responsibility for your actions or how you contributed to the situation. Apologizing for our behavior sends the unspoken message that “you are important to me.”
Stop Strategies
Pause, take a break, or go for a walk. Remove yourself from the situation until both parties are in a place to listen and respond with kindness and understanding.
In-the-moment phrases to use:
- “Now’s not a good time to talk. Let’s talk about it later.”
- “I don’t want us to be unkind to each other.”
- “I love you, so let’s take a quick break until we are calmer.”
Spend Quality Time Together
Spending quality time together strengthens relationships. One-on-one time can allow you to understand each other on a deeper level and connect more meaningfully.
- One-on-one ideas:
- Watch a movie together
- Go out to eat at a restaurant
- Play a video game
- Cook a meal
Resources
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