Taking responsibility is a critical relationship skill to learn if you are in long-term relationships. The quickest way out of any fight, is to acknowledge where I went awry. When I take responsibility for my part, you feel validated and there’s no longer a need to go on the offensive with me. This is the mature, conscious adult way. And, it is challenging.
Couples can really struggle with this one. It can be so tempting to sneak in some finger pointing thinking I’m taking responsibility. I might say “I feel like you….” And I actually think I am taking responsibility for my experience. I am not.
For example,
I feel like you are attacking me.” Will typically elicit a defensive response.
“I feel attacked.” Can’t be argued with. Responsible. Doesn’t mean you are being attacked, just means you are identifying a trigger that is about you.
“I feel that you are…” nope
“I feel discouraged.” Yes.
“They are messing with me.” nope
“I feel scared, attacked, and manipulated.” Yes.
When we keep our statements about ourselves and make that a primary practice, we can get to what needs attention and healing on our side. We relax out of the habit of making the other person the problem. The other person is doing their job—triggering you, so you can heal your unfinished business. Thank them and come back to you.
More tools here
1 Comment
Alyssa
January 11, 2015I’ve worked hard to implement this kind of language in my relationship with my fiance, but it seems to aggrivate him.
If I say something like, “I feel hurt when someone doesn’t value the work that I do,” I’m trying to make a broad statement about my feelings, without being accusatory or placing blame. But he tells me I’m being passive aggressive and that I should just tell him. Its like he wants me to accuse him, like he’s seeking out criticism from me, but he’s also extremely sensitive to criticism and often takes things personally. I just don’t know how to express my needs and feelings effectively to him in a way that he will receive well. I’ve started avoiding expressing my needs because I’m either met with defensiveness or indifference.
Leave A Response