Let’s talk communication…

Have you ever heard the term “communication is key”? Have you ever rolled your eyes at that idea? I can admit I was that way too. For a long time I believed that if I didn’t have anything remotely not-nasty to say as a response to something - especially something I was not thrilled about - that it was better to stay quiet. I can look back now and realize that was in no way the most effective approach to communicating. That was not communicating at all. I realized I had to share how I was feeling or what I was thinking with others, especially in the relationships I valued. But I also realized there are better ways to deliver these messages. It can be somewhat daunting to consider telling someone exactly how you feel about what they said to you or what they did, but if you don’t share then by default the things that are happening around you become enabled. If your friend calls you and asks you for a ride to the airport at 5am, and you don’t want to do it but you say yes, then how do they know you don’t want to do it? And then they call you again for the next trip? Ugh! But the thing is - you can’t assume other people know your reactions and responses to things if you don’t exercise your power to tell and/or show them. In therapy, we can explore a myriad of different communication skills and styles. You can learn to communicate better and potentially be an example of effective communication in your relationships. So…let’s talk!