Are You a Champion of Repair?

Linda: No matter how hard we try, there are sure to be breakdowns of all kinds, misunderstandings, broken agreements, not having our needs met, unhealed wounds that get activated, and other provocations that send us straight into conflict. It’s not the negative interactions themselves that are the problem; it’s how we respond to them that makes the biggest difference. Couples with high-performance relationships are champs, because they know what to do to repair the disconnection quickly after it occurs. Consider the following examples of repair:

1. Acceptance: First of all, they don’t fear conflict to the point where they deny the issue. They are willing to tell the truth when alignment is interrupted.

2. Attitude: They accept that conflict isn’t dangerous, and that it even has some advantages when utilized properly. The dark side of relationships offers up opportunities to compare contrasting experiences and perspectives that can be a creative process leading to greater understanding.

3. Deep Breaths: Breathing deeply helps us to slow down and quiet the agitated mind so we can think more effectively.

4. Safety: With a strong commitment to the relationship, there is a sense of trust on both sides to continue the dialogue, even when feelings run high, until some completion is achieved.

5. Self-Discipline: We will have many opportunities to resist the temptation to indulge ourselves in blurting out criticism. Self-discipline allows us to put thought between feeling and speaking or behaving. Practicing self-restraint allows us to pause to reflect so that skillful choices are made that will enhance the dialogue.

6. Non-Reactive Listening: By really taking in what the other person is saying, our partner is assured that we care and want to know what they are feeling and what they need.

7. Paraphrasing: Repeating in our own words, “What I hear you saying is…” allows for an opportunity to clear up any distortion. And it helps our partner to calm down and relax, trusting that their message has been received.

8. Tone: Keeping a sharp, accusatory tone out of the conversation is a big plus.

9. Manipulation: Manipulations of all kinds (withdrawal, threats, ultimatums, distraction, etc.) put people on the defensive. We are wise to become aware of the ways we manipulate and delete them all.

10. Ask Questions: When we ask questions, we are showing that we want to understand the other person’s point of view.

11. Requests: When demands and commands are issued, it is a turn-off to our partner. Turning complaints into requests rather than criticism is a skillful way of avoiding negativity.

12. Feedback: Feedback is not criticism; it’s sharing our personal responses to what the other person is saying and doing.

13. Respect: We can bring grievances and disappointments to our partner in a tactful way rather than affixing blame.

14. Planning: Having some agreements in place (like speaking with I-statements, no shouting, no name calling, no threats, either party can call a time-out) is an effective method of repair. By referring mentally or verbally to these previously agreed-upon guidelines, we are able to compose ourselves before launching the repair conversation.

15. Common Ground: Finding those areas where we are aligned encourages a feeling of being on the same team rather than adversaries.

16. Enlightened Self-Interest: Appealing to our partner by showing them how a shift in attitude or behavior will benefit us both is a sensible approach.

17. Possibilities: Avoiding lapsing into positioned thinking — characterized by good/bad, either/or, right/wrong — allows us to think creatively and lifts us out of deadlocks.

18. Sandwich: Leading with a sincere affirmation of a positive attribute, then bringing forward the complaint, and ending with another positive statement affirms what's working well in the partnership, and pares the difficulty down to a workable size.

19. Flexibility: Loosening our white-knuckle grip on being right is powerful repair. While we are positioned in being right, our partner may feel very wrong, and then we both lose.

20. Curiosity: Being genuinely curious about our own and our partner’s sore spots (left over from traumas from childhood or adult relationships) will shed light on why we get so emotionally triggered. An investigation of these wounds can be healing, resulting in less reactivity.

21. Lifelong Learning: Learning from each other is enriching. Since opposites attract, we are with someone quite different from us in attitudes, style, beliefs, behaviors, and even some of their values. Learning from each other’s strengths helps us to grow into a bigger person.

22. Responsiveness: When our partner is gesturing towards us with some form of repair attempt, if we show that we are willing to join them in the process, it moves the recovery along.

23. Humor: A light touch of playfulness can go a long way to ease the tension and create a conducive climate for collaboration.

24. Apology: Saying that we are sincerely sorry when we cause harm is a good start. Adding what we understand from the breakdown is a fine addition. It shows that we understand what will prevent a similar breakdown in the future.

25. Forgiveness: The willingness to let go is profound repair. It may not happen in one sitting.

26. Vulnerability: Below the irritation, anger, and resentment, there is always hurt, fear, or both. Being courageous enough to speak from our deeper experience (our needs and these more tender feelings) positions us to meet heart-to-heart, which allows for less feelings of threat and more feelings of connection.

27. Touch: Well-timed physical touching in the form of taking our partner’s hands, giving a hug, or putting our arm around them can reduce tension and open up a channel for deeper communication.

28. Gratitude: Remembering to thank our partner for their efforts to make the most thorough and rapid repair possible is always useful.

Please do not be confined to this list. Every couple is challenged to devise those guidelines that are efficient repair for their individual needs. These are some popular and effective methods. I am wishing you speedy repair.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stronger-the-broken-places/201901/are-you-champion-repair?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost&fbclid=IwAR1DGDVmTkAbMnxvsKQU_R7_JyjlSEWlY3azQ722tjtsaJTyLSSmm6YmQHA