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“Fight Right” by Julie and John Gottman explores the essential role of conflict in romantic relationships, offering practical strategies to navigate disagreements constructively.
Through relatable examples and research-based insights, the book encourages readers to embrace conflict as an opportunity for deeper connection, empathy, and lasting relationship growth.
There are certain dynamics of conflict in romantic relationships. Disagreements often escalate quickly, fueled by deeply ingrained behavioral patterns. We must recognise conflict as a natural and essential part of relationships, where anger, if properly managed without contempt or criticism, can lead to deeper understanding and connection.
Normalize conflict, address negative emotions constructively, and approach disputes with curiosity rather than hostility.
Our "fighting styles" are influenced by family and past experiences. These different styles can lead to conflict patterns that may clash in relationships.
Learn to recognise your own conflict style, understand your partner’s, and find ways to incorporate empathy and positivity to improve communication.
Couples often fight about trivial matters, but these conflicts stem from deeper emotional issues like unmet needs, hidden dreams, or misaligned values.
Recognizing these underlying causes, turn toward each other for connection, and address emotional needs to prevent escalation.
Mistake: Starting Off Wrong
Small disagreements can escalate into significant conflicts when unaddressed emotions surface.
Start discussions gently, focus on personal feelings rather than blaming the partner, and practice patience in understanding each other’s needs.
Mistake: Attacking, Defending, Withdrawing
Emotional flooding during conflict hijacks rational thinking, often leading to destructive communication patterns.
Recognize the signs of flooding, take breaks when necessary, and use repair attempts to restore positive interaction, focusing on collaboration rather than escalation.
Mistake: Skimming the Surface
Conflicts often mask deeper emotional needs tied to past experiences of love and security, leading to gridlock in a relationship.
Conflicts often require exploring underlying emotional issues, rather than focusing solely on surface problems, to foster understanding and intimacy.
Mistake: Competing to Win
Couples often misinterpret conflicts as zero-sum situations, where one person's win means the other's loss, which can deteriorate relationships and even harm physical health.
Avoid win-lose thinking by embracing compromise and mutual influence, fostering trust and cooperation for long-term relational and personal well-being.
Mistake: Stewing About the Fight
Unresolved conflicts, particularly during the pandemic, can fester and harm relationships.
Avoiding or inadequately addressing fights prevents healing, and processing conflicts with empathy, understanding each other's perspectives, and validating feelings is essential for long-term relationship repair.
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