Emotional distance is real, and it happens in many relationships and marriages too; it’s a huge relationship killer, and if left to grow it would keep on building slowly but steady like the termites.
Many relationships have this problem where a partner becomes emotionally distant, but some don’t become aware of it in time, and just few people know the cause of it. I’ve written on the signs of a partner that’s emotionally distanced and also causes of the said emotional distance. But what can one really do when faced with having an emotionally distanced partner?
This article would throw light on that.
1. TALK WITH YOUR PARTNER
Like they say, “a problem shared is a problem half-solved”; there is no better person to talk to than your emotionally distant partner. Talking to your partner is one thing but your manner of approach is even more important; the way you handle such talks could go a long way in repairing or escalating the dents in that relationship. Let it not be a confrontation, but rather kindly ask your partner what’s really happening, the things you could have done wrong and how to move on better from this.
2. BE READY TO MAKE COMPROMISE
After learning of your partner’s reason for being emotionally distant, be ready to make compromises that would benefit the relationship — there should be no need to hold the relationship to a standstill.
3. BE OPEN ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS
You cannot save the relationship if you have all your feelings bottled up inside; tell your partner how you really feel, what you are willing to do to make the relationship work and as well what you expect of your partner to make the relationship work. With this, there would be a balance from both sides and both partners would know what they are expected of.
4. BE PATIENT
In this situation where things have turned sour, you need to be patient if there is going to be a change; the relationship didn’t turn sour overnight, and as well wouldn’t be the blast overnight. Be patient enough to be able to walk your partner out of that state of emotional abandonment.
5. START FULFILLING YOUR QUOTA
The onus might be on you to save the relationship, but it should be taken in good faith. Your emotionally abandoned partner would be watching to see how you would go about your things from then on; if there were habits you ought to stop then pull the plugs on it — be sure to fulfil your promises, this might give your partner that lift.
6. PLAN FOR TOGETHERNESS
You need togetherness to come out of that stale relationship. Plan for dates, spend quality time with your partner and have lots of fun times together. This might be the perfect antidote to that sour relationship.
7. DON’T KILL YOURSELF
This is one point many people fail to point out; in all fairness, even though the onus is on you to save your relationship, you shouldn’t have to carry the burden forever. In the case where your partner practically becomes nonchalant because of a third-party, you cannot do more than this. There ought to be a percentage of willingness from your partner no matter how little if that relationship should come back to life — do the bit that you can, go the extra mile if possible, but anything more than that might mean you are forcing a relationship on someone who doesn’t want you.
Emotional distance is a relationship killer that should be detected on time; read signs your partner is emotionally distanced.
Shawn