relationships and communication

let's have a discussion on building healthy relationships, resolving conflicts, effective communication skills, and support for individuals navigating relationship challenges in their recovery journey.

We listen to react, not to hear...
Being a good communicator is about how well you're able to listen. A good listener wants to hear what you're saying, so their response has focus and purpose. Hearing is physiological and only uses the ears, while listening is psychological and requires the use of the brain to interpret the message. Listening is a skill that requires one to use senses, including seeing, hearing, and the sense of touch.

Communicating is hard for me sometimes. I seem to have all these emotions and I don't really know what it is that I'm feeling and when I'm confronted with conflict I seem to always respond with anger. Any suggestions on ways I can improve my communication skills?

If it's hard "sometimes" your doing great! - So how do we control our emotions while engaged in conversation: I like to start by taking a deep breath and focus on my body (shoulders pinned against ears, heart rate, etc.). I acknowledge my feelings but I don't let them define me "let it go Loui, let it go". I remind myself that we are all human beings just trying to figure it out, so I don't take everything as a personal attack...

Emotional Barriers: When we listen to respond and depending on the circumstance, one of our natural reactions/emotions to surface is our "fight/flight" defense. Our minds aren’t particularly good at discerning between perceived threats presented in conversation, or being chased down by a bear . If we listen to hear, we can be more open minded, ask questions and provide positive feedback.

Improve communication skills: Listen Listen, Listen... Be more aware of non-verbal cues (tone, eye contact, facial expressions, and hand gestures), have empathy "we all human beings first", engage more in the why, who, what, when and where (it's not about you and your ego ).