TOPICS COUPLES AVOID : BUT SHOULDN'T

 

1. Career goals 

You and your partner’s career aspirations and goals should be discussed openly, too. It’s common for households to have dual career couples. Because of this, managing a relationship while pursuing your career and personal goals has become more crucial

2. Friends of opposite sex 

Defining boundaries with friends from the opposite sex can be a tricky subject. When one starts to commit to a relationship, friendships with the opposite gender may be one of the freedoms that need to be discussed. Boundaries should be clearly defined, and they should be applied not just in face to face interactions, but in all forms of interactions (i.e., texts, chats, and social media) as well.

3. Past relationship 

 Past relationships can reveal a lot about a person. They can also give birth to insecurity or resentment. When talking about past relationships, focusing more on general themes than on the details is the best way to handle this topic. Remember that the main goal of discussing past relationships is to strengthen and nurture the current one.

4. Sex 

Talking about sex and sexual compatibility is a big one. Many feel unsure and intimidated by the subject. So how do you steer the discussion towards this topic? Just talk about it there’s no other way around it. Remember that sexual compatibility is an ongoing process. Years of being together, maturity, and life events may have an impact on your views on sexuality.

5. Communication Styles

Communication styles vary from one person to another. One person may feel comfortable saying things outright, while another may hold back. One party may be an amplifier one who communicates by sharing what they have to say in great volumes of details while the other one is a condenser one who is, more often than not, comfortable sharing only a little of what is absolutely necessary. While there may be differences in how people communicate, understanding communication styles is key to a respectful and nourishing relationship.

6. Household Chores

Chores, errands, and housework can be a source of conflict if not plainly discussed. Typically, misunderstandings arise when couples disagree on what “clean” means. One may have a relaxed rule on what is acceptably clean, while the other may be totally opposite.

7. Family

Healthy couples deal with in-laws with respect and by understanding that different people have different ways. The key to managing in-laws is setting healthy boundaries, expressing these boundaries to your spouse, and taking steps even before things get out of hand.

8. Our Habits

Our personality quirks and habits make us unique and special. For instance, your significant other may have a distinct obsession with a particular food. Or maybe you snore when you sleep. While some of these habits may be the very reason why we are drawn to our partners, some may annoy and bother us. Honesty without judgment is the best stance to take. Note that bringing up the habit in the heat of an argument may feel threatening to the other party. Lastly, choose your battles. Before asking your partner to quit or stop a habit, reflect whether this habit in question has an impact on the relationship. If not, perhaps it’s something that you can let go.

There are no shortcuts to tackle these mentioned topics. Similarly, couples may view these topics with varying levels of ease. Some couples may not even consider the topics discussed here to be taboo at all. The most important thing to consider is for both parties to listen with the intent to understand. And for each to speak the truth clearly and honestly. That is when genuine and open communication occurs and will, ultimately, lead to better relationships.