Читать книгу The Truth about Relationships - Stefan Blom - Страница 23

Introduce your need to speak

Sensitive topics need a well-chosen time and place for discussion and, often, a sensitive introduction. If you know that what you are going to say may upset your partner, no matter how gently you say it, introduce the conversation before you bring the topic up. When you introduce your need to speak about a sensitive topic, you prepare your relationship for a sensitive and possibly difficult conversation. Doing so gives everyone some time to prepare and connect with the seriousness of what might come. Your short introduction could sound like this: ‘I would like to speak to you about … [name your topic]. I know this is difficult for you, but I think it’s important that we speak about it. ’ You could also prepare for the conversation by sharing your intentions or why you would like to share this sensitive point. Although you cannot control the outcome of the conversation, you can speak about how you would like the conversation to go.

Questions to ask yourself

Asking yourself the following questions could help you during this process:

•Which topics are sensitive in my relationship?

•Why are they sensitive topics?

•How can I be more considerate about how I speak about my relationship’s most sensitive topics?

•How can I introduce a topic that is sensitive to my relationship?