Relationships Archives - Michael S. Sorensen

What Do I Do If My Partner is Constantly Complaining?

“I have a fear that if I validate my wife’s feelings, I will become her venting box. I do not want to come home from work just to listen to all the things that went wrong in my wife’s day, and then I say “oh babe, I’m so sorry. That sounds hard,” and then rinse and repeat. I want our interactions to be positive. Not negative. Am I wrong in thinking that it shouldn’t be my job to listen to her (or anyone else’s) negativity so that she (they) can feel better?”

Boundaries: The Secret to Finding Balance and Happiness in Life

A Better You, Relationships

Do you have a hard time saying “no” to people, because you don’t want to be rude? Is there someone in your life you’re always covering for, because they’re consistently late, can’t be counted on, or frequently act irresponsibly? Or perhaps you’re always helping people, but no one ends up ever being there for you?

How Do You Validate Someone When They’re Angry With You?

Business, Relationships

Learning how to validate another person’s feelings is a tremendously valuable relationship skill. But what about when they’re angry at you, or accusing you of something that isn’t true? Why on earth would you validate that? And if it’s really all that valuable, *how* do you do that?

How to Avoid Commitment Traps

Relationships

One of my pet peeves is when people ask a favor or a commitment of some sort, but instead of leading with the request, they first ask if you’re available. “Any fun plans for Saturday?” “No, not really.” “Great! I’m moving and would love your help. It’ll only take all day.” I call these “commitment traps,” and, while they’re annoying as all get-out, I’ve devised a simple, fail-proof way to navigate them with skill and grace.

5 Must-Read Relationship Books

A Better You, Relationships

All relationships take work. We as humans are always learning; always looking for a way to do things better. To be better connected. To have more compassion for others—or to have more compassion for ourselves. The following five books are among my most recommended, for their insights, practical advice, and general ability to bring greater awareness and satisfaction into your day-to-day relationships.

How to Give Better Compliments

Life, Relationships

Earlier this week, I gave a presentation to a group of leaders on the power of validation in business. The next day, I flipped through my inbox to discover several thank-you emails from managers who had attended the training. One message, however, taught me a valuable life lesson…

Healthy Relationships Need Space

A Better You, Relationships

In any relationship where two whole, complete, capable people come together, they will each have interests outside of each other that add richness and excitement to life. And it’s simply not reasonable (or healthy) for either partner to expect the other to give them 100% of his or her time, attention, and energy.

What To Do If Your Partner Isn’t Great at Listening or Validating

A Better You, Relationships

Genuine empathy and sincere validation are some of the most connecting powers in a relationship. So what do you do when you just don’t feel like your partner listens do you? How do you ask them to learn more about validation and improve their communication skills?

Is Your Partner Making You Unhappy?

A Better You, Relationships

Do you ever find yourself feeling stuck, frustrated, resentful, or angry toward your partner? Or perhaps, instead of anger, you just feel bummed out that your relationship isn’t quite how you’d imagined it. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone else has a better relationship than we do. Today we’re going to challenge that thought.

Communication in Relationships: No One Can Read Your Mind

A Better You, Relationships

In today’s world, many people give up on relationships too quickly. The moment things get tricky, they bail. Or they simply resign themselves to living in an unhappy, conflict-laden life. The fact of the matter is this: any relationship can be improved if both parties are willing to work on their communication.

Relationships

What Do I Do If My Partner is Constantly Complaining?

Boundaries: The Secret to Finding Balance and Happiness in Life

How Do You Validate Someone When They’re Angry With You?

5 Must-Read Relationship Books

How to Give Better Compliments

Healthy Relationships Need Space

What To Do If Your Partner Isn’t Great at Listening or Validating

Is Your Partner Making You Unhappy?

Communication in Relationships: No One Can Read Your Mind

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