Relationships are hard. They’re even harder when you’re trying to build them with someone who’s different from you in some way. This can be especially true for people who have experienced trauma, because their behaviors may not match up with your expectations of what a healthy relationship looks like, or they may have had relationships that didn’t last long before getting hurt again. But if you want these relationships to last—and if they’re going to make both of your lives better—there are plenty of things you can do to build them into something good.
Let them know you’re there for them–and listen to what they say
Being there for your friend is about listening to what they have to say, understanding their point of view and having a genuine interest in their life. It also means being willing to help out when they need it most by offering advice or assistance. Just because someone is your friend doesn’t mean that you have to agree with everything they say–you can still disagree without being rude or judgmental!
Ask questions, and follow up on them, if appropriate
Ask questions that are open-ended. When you ask a question, the other person will have time to think about their answer and offer one. For example, instead of asking “Did you have a good day at work?” try something like “What was your favorite part of your day?” This helps open up communication and gives each person an opportunity to share something they might not otherwise feel comfortable talking about.
When asking questions related to the conversation itself (e.g., “Where do you usually go when it rains?”), make sure those topics matter–and that there isn’t anything else going on around us or in our own lives that could be distracting us from listening carefully enough so as not miss important aspects of what was just said!
Be open to their ideas and opinions while still respecting your own
- Be open to their ideas and opinions while still respecting your own.
- Don’t be afraid to disagree with them, even if you think they’re wrong. If there’s a disagreement, try to understand why they think differently than you do.
- Don’t be afraid of asking questions or listening intently; this will help you better understand the other person’s perspective and make sure that both parties are on the same page when it comes down to making decisions together. * If someone asks for help from another person in the group (like asking someone else if they agree with an idea), don’t dismiss their request out of hand without giving some thought first–it may not seem like much time would pass between hearing about one idea and then coming up with another one yourself but trust me: it does happen often enough that many people have experienced just how frustrating it can be when we aren’t given enough time at work breaks from thinking about our projects outside of those scheduled appointments!
Be completely honest with one another, even when it might not be easy to do so
The most important thing to remember is that honesty is the best way to build trust. It’s also important to be completely honest about your feelings, opinions, and needs. If someone disagrees with you, it’s important not to take things personally–and it’s even better if you can find a way to agree together!
Being completely open about what’s going on inside of us helps us connect with people in a deeper way than we ever could otherwise. And when we are open and honest with ourselves (and others), there will be fewer misunderstandings between us because everyone knows where they stand from the start.
Don’t forget to have fun together
- Don’t forget to have fun together!
This is a pretty important one, since it’s easy to get caught up in your own world and forget about your partner’s needs.
When you’re spending time with your loved ones, make sure you’re also having fun! You don’t want anyone feeling like they’re being dragged through the mud over every little thing–but if there’s something that makes everyone happy (and isn’t too much), then go for it!
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some ideas on how to keep your relationships healthy, happy and strong. With some of these tips in mind, you’ll be better prepared to handle any difficult conversation that may come up with your partner or friend. Be sure to remember that it’s OK (and even expected!) not always have the perfect response at first—and don’t worry too much about what others think either!
