"And while these factors are good enough to bring two people together, love alone is not strong enough to keep a relationship healthy and thriving. A partner who does not respect you can quickly turn the relationship dynamic unhealthy in many ways. You might still feel deeply for each other, and love may be present, but without respect, boundaries get crossed, and conflicts only escalate instead of being resolved."
"When someone is sharing their frustrations or challenges, for many, the natural instinct is to offer solutions or try to "fix" the problem in some way. While it comes from good intent, it can feel dismissive or overwhelming to the person who is trying to process their feelings. We assume that giving advice shows care or support, but that's not always the case."
Love and attraction can bring partners together but are insufficient to sustain a healthy relationship without respect. Lack of respect leads to boundary violations, escalating conflicts, and erosion of trust and intimacy over time. Respect shows up in small everyday behaviors that make partners feel safe and supported. Effective support depends on how it is offered; asking whether someone wants advice or simply a listener prevents dismissiveness and facilitates coping. Nondirective support facilitates coping without taking control, while controlling or unsolicited advice can feel dismissive or overwhelming. Where partners focus during conflict influences whether disagreements resolve or intensify.
Read at Psychology Today
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]