Podcast Episode 002: How we f* up relationships

Ever wonder how relationships go wrong? Have you experienced confusion about how things changed in your marriage? Have you felt stuck with constant miscommunications and relationship tension?

In this podcast episode, Elizabeth Polinsky discusses 5 reasons why relationships go wrong.

IN THIS PODCAST

SUMMARY:

• We compare ourselves to others without actually knowing what their relationships are like.
  
• There is a lack of education, role models, and good advice on relationships.
  
• 93% of communication is tone of voice & body language--only 7% is what you actually say.
  
• We repeat self-protective patterns which prevent emotional closeness and connection in relationships. 
  
• Life stress is a b*tch. ​
  

We compare ourselves to others without actually knowing what their relationships are like. However, we only see the front of others' relationships--we don't see what is actually going on. Additionally, societal messages teach us that relationships should look perfect.

Even at the grocery store we’re hearing ‘theres something wrong with your relationship’, ‘no ones going to want you if you don’t look a certain way or have sex a certain way or talk and communicate a certain way’.”

There is a lack of education, role models, and good advice on relationships. 

1. There is no formal education on healthy relationships.
   
2. Societal messages through the media are sensational. They emphasize emotional roller coaster relationships that are often unhealthy and unrealistic.
   
3. Many people do not have good relationship role models growing up.
   
4. The people we go to for advice on relationships often do not have good relationships themselves limiting the quality of the advice.

There is no education in school on happy and healthy relationships and people often do not have good relationship role models.”

93% of communication is tone of voice & body language--only 7% is what you actually say. No wonder there are miscommunications! Only 7% of your words get a cross to someone else. We all need to learn to make our body language and tone of voice consistent with our words for greater success at communication.
We repeat self-protective patterns which prevent emotional closeness and connection in relationships.  People push their partners away and shut down when they are hurt, or they become critical and demanding. These are emotional self protection behaviors. What is needed to move forward is vulnerability and kindness.

In order to have healthy happy relationships, both partners need to feel safe to be vulnerable and be able to respond with kindness when their partner is vulnerable.”

Life stress is a b*tch. Mental illness, financial struggles, deployment, and life transition cause more stress. When there is more stress for couples, it typically increase miscommunications leading to differences in sex drive and decreases relationship satisfaction.

ACTION STEPS:
As you go about your day over the next few days, try to notice all the images of relationships and see what the societal messages are--TV, movies, tabloids, etc. See if you see the 1) this is perfect and 2) yours isn’t good enough messages.

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Thanks for Listening!

Elizabeth Polinsky is a marriage and couple therapist specializing in working with military members, veterans, and their families. Liz is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and provides online counseling services throughout Virginia, South Carolina, and Arkansas. ​

DISCLAIMER: 
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