Chip Chick
#3: Work through conflict with empathy and understanding.
Conflict is inevitable in any relationship worth being in. Conflict is not a bad thing – it’s how to handle conflict that genuinely matters. If a problem arises, chances are you and your partner share responsibility for the problem existing.
To avoid drama, limit your blaming, name-calling, and defensive responses in an argument. Instead, have a calm conversation from a position of understanding.
You do not have to agree with your partner to understand where they are coming from. However, calmly talking things out will reduce the drama in your relationship.
If you cannot have a calm conversation, take some space and time and return to it once you are in a place to be calm and understanding with your partner.
#4: Make a note of things that matter to you.
You need to take stock of things you can and cannot tolerate in a relationship. For example:
Will you be mad if he cancels your plans to hang out with his friends (last minute or in advance)? Are you going to be mad if he’d rather go to his family during the holidays than yours? Are you going to be angry if he never does the dishes?
Relationships are about picking and choosing what you disagree on. Fighting over petty things will lead to unnecessary drama. Don’t sweat the little stuff – work through them together.
#5: Don’t bring others into a disagreement.
The worst thing you can do when disagreeing with your partner is drag family/friends into it. If it doesn’t directly concern them, leave them out of it. They will all have their own opinion, and all those opinions will add to the pile of drama.
Always resolve conflict privately with your partner before bringing in more people. If you bring in other people, make it a therapist/counselor/coach rather than a friend or family member who is likely taking sides anyway.
