Avoidance and Honesty

Sometimes partners avoid certain difficult conversation or refrain from being honest because of wanting to please the other or fear of hurting the other's feelings.  Whenever we engage in avoidance we are setting the situation up to stay the same or fail.  The result of avoided conversations or conversation where we are not honest about our wants and needs is generally dissatisfaction for both partners.  Faking it does not work in the long run because it creates resentment.  We can be honest and respectful in owning our feelings and needs. We can listen to our partner's feelings and needs. And we can parse out ways we need to take care of ourselves from ways we can learn to improve our problem solving as a partnership.  The key is being honest with ourselves and then showing up for our partner by being honest.