Loving and Gentle Communication in Relationships

Even when I thought I was loving in communicating in my love relationships, I had often been challenged and told by my partners that I was not! I had learned all the tricks and words through my study of psychology and communication, but I was somehow still getting into hurtful arguments and repeated conflicts.

It took me some time to realize that the most important aspects of my communication were to feel completely congruent in expressing outwardly what I felt on the inside, to love and take care of myself first before trying to connect and to put the energy of loving between me and my partner in my communication.

While the most essential part of loving and taking care of myself first was to do all sorts of body-centered healing work and therapy, today I would like to share with you some of the tips and resources that I’ve picked up along the way that have been helpful for me and for many couples/polyamorous relationships that I have worked with.

The Basics of Loving and Gentle Communication

When I share my feelings, feel activated, or approach a challenging relational situation, here are some things I keep in mind:

Pause, Breathe and Look Inward

Take some time to notice your own inner reaction and be with it. This is a way to truly love yourself and honor your human reaction. There is room for both your reaction and your partner’s/partners’. Ask your partner(s) for a moment or to take a break. Take care of yourself first if your reaction is defensive, intense, or overwhelming. The easiest way to escalate to an argument is lack of emotional regulation because one or more people are feeling dysregulated or triggered in a reaction.

Gather Information with Curiosity

Instead of trying to solve the problem or make a decision immediately, gather information. We learn more about our loved one(s) when we ask questions to understand rather than to come to conclusions. Use this as a chance to get to know each other’s values, why something is important them, or what made them react. You’ll get to a deeper place of understanding and be able to make a decision or be together as a team instead of against each other.

Share your own feelings only

Use statements that begin with “I…” and not “You…” Describe your own experience and be open to hearing the other experience(s). As the Gottmans describe so well in the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse, it feels criticizing when we describe our partners’ behaviors more often (especially in a tone that is judgmental, upset, or harsh). The Gottmans have studied relationship communication and building, and have been able to fine-tune their research to predict if couples will stay together through their body language and communication.

Acknowledge the other person’s expression and feelings

Notice that your partner(s) has a response and emotional reaction that is separate from yours. Acknowledge both of you, your own feelings, and also theirs. In the psychology world, it has often been called acknowledging “both/and”. Use the word “and” instead of “but” when talking. For example, “I know you feel sad and I feel embarrassed” versus saying “I know you feel sad, but I feel embarrassed.”

Cultivating the Energy of Loving In Your Communication

In communicating, check yourself to be sure you are in a place of loving yourself, holding your own feelings, and feeling love for the other person(s) in the experience or relationship. If the intensity of your emotions is beyond manageable, take more time with yourself.

I learned this beautiful practice from a Heart and Soul Coach, Charmayne Kilcup, that I work with to bring loving into the space in between you and the person(s) you are communicating with. Imagine a loving color of light, or however the energy of love looks to you, moving between you and the other person through your words and your expression. See it coming from you when you look and speak. Many challenging or hard to hear thoughts and feelings can surprisingly be received when there is loving in between.

Diversify Your Language Set

For those of you who would like a reminder of ways to communicate gently or to diversify your language set, try out these questions and statements that may support your conscious communication.

Gathering Information Questions to Bridge Understanding:

• What happened here?
• What happened for you?
• How do you feel?
• What was that like for you when ___?
• Can you tell me more?
• Tell me more about your feeling.
• Tell me more.
• What do you need?
• What would help?

Statements of Acknowledgement

• I understand you feel ____
• I notice you’re feeling hurt.
• I can see that this made you feel ____
• That’s understandable you feel ____
• You are feeling ____
• That makes sense you are feeling ____

Share Your Own Feelings

• I feel sad that you feel hurt.
• I feel ____.
• It is hard for me to know you are feeling ____.
• I am having a hard time acknowledging your feelings.
• I am having a reaction too.
• I notice I am unable to set my feelings aside.
• I need to take a break.

Repair Checklist

The Gottmans also have this easy cheat sheet for repairing a hurt in the relationship(s).

Really Tough Stuff

When things are very challenging or stuck in a rigid place, there are a few resources that I would recommend, also coming from the Gottmans. These include the Conflict Blueprint and the Aftermath of a Regrettable Incident Cheat Sheet.

Being Loving and Gentle With Yourself

What if you spoke to yourself this way most of the time? Being loving and gentle with yourself is the best way to grow this in your relationship. Relationships are not easy! Sometimes the toughest is within yourself. Our Inner Critic can be so hurtful and tough on us. Forgive yourself and try on some of these tools with yourself as well.