How Clear Communication Can Eliminate Misunderstanding

1. How Clear Communication Can Eliminate Misunderstanding The conversation with the partner begins innocently, but to ensure clear communication, it might get muddy at times when in a hurry. Now, this might sound familiar, and you might even know how it will go ahead: from the nice discussion to change in facial expression, open body language shifting to closed ones, and at times, there might even be a chance of tone, which doesn’t sit right. This is when sunny dispositions will cloud over the simple discussion, leading to disagreement and, at times, ending up feeling misunderstood.

2. Poor communication might lead to a good conversation ruin. Be it the talks on the vacation, household tasks, parenting styles, or finances, any conversation can take a turn. Especially when clarity begins to pave the way to offense, one might end up feeling misunderstood and alone. In such situations, it can be truly frustrating. So, if you wish to explain better to your partner, to make them understand and agree on a point, some tips can help you. It will ensure maintaining clarity while avoiding feeling misunderstood and ending up with the statement, “I am on my own and lonely”. 1. Start Putting Yourself in the Shoes of your Partners One common reason one feels misunderstood is that they believe their opinion and position are right. They might even think that if they can convince their partner of the facts as they see them, they will be able to get it, and the problem will be solved. However, this approach won’t always work, as your partner is highly likely to dig deeper with the true facts they own. So, take a deep breath and take that short pause before you go ahead and respond. Consider how they might feel about the situation from their end and then see if your perspective and theirs can find common ground. Put in a little effort to ensure effective communication.

3. 2. Know How You Can Interrupt The general rule of thumb is that interrupting the partner wouldn’t be useful, and it will lead to just conflict escalation. Although if there is time, make sure to pause the conversation, focus and not default to rudeness or simply start talking over the partner. Instead, you can say, excuse me, you are bringing up quite a good point. So, can we explore it further? Make sure you frame your interruptions as the questions and have the intent to further the understanding. It will be respectful and productive, in opposition to interrupting to shut your partner down with disagreement or saying that their viewpoint isn’t right. Do not let them end up feeling misunderstood and alone, as the goal is to sort and not to disagree and fight. 3. You and I Statements When it comes to feeling misunderstood by the partner, it is easy to use the language which remains focused outward and not inwards. In there, it will be easy to just generalize, then catastrophize and end up minimizing someone else's behavior. Do you continue to say things like- You always do that! Or can you not just stop for one moment? If you do, you can instead start using the I statements to express your feelings. With just a statement’s change, you will see the difference. The criticism of the partner disappears when the I statement starts to get in. Know that you are trying to

4. speak your emotions and point of view. So, be aware of using the word You during any conflict that feels like a criticism of the partner. 4. Avoid the Mentality of “Here We Go Again” Well, if you have been using this statement, it means there have been repeated actions or any speech that your partner is using. Even if there is an argument about something old, it can bring the thought to mind; at times, you might end up feeling misunderstood and alone. Knowing that “Here we go again” thinking, causes one to mentally write off the partner before they even have the chance to possibly express themselves. In case there is a theme that is coming up repeatedly, it is time you address it. So, to do so, you must keep your mind open when your partner brings up the perpetual issue. Try to be more curious, ask questions, and see and try to understand, even if you do not agree. 5. Just Listen and Don’t Speak A key to communication is to speak less and listen more. It would mean giving up on the temptation to jump in and trying to correct your partner or talk over them. To truly listen would mean to have an open heart. It is only then both ends wouldn’t end up feeling misunderstood and alone and will be able to open up and share. If not, you will find each other off with the emotional walls and the

5. defenses, which in turn will take away emotional vulnerability off the table, and there will not be any progress in the conversations. Final Words I like to feel misunderstood or think I am on my own and lonely. This is why it is important to understand that there are right and wrong ways to communicate and understand. So, start not shutting up and listen to what the other one says. In case you still need help, FeelHeard is there for you and your needs. The professions herein offer pure listening services and emotional support to anyone feeling isolated and lonely. The best part of this service is that every time you give them a call, the same professional will answer you, allowing you to have a safe space, a sense of knowing, and complete ease. So, book your session today and find the help you need.