Those Uncomfortable Conversations

Strong communication skills are much needed to maintaining the health and longevity of any relationship, whether it’s a romantic partnership, friendship, family relationship, or professional collaboration. While these conversations can be uncomfortable or challenging, they play a crucial role in building trust, resolving conflicts, and fostering open communication. If you are a person who’d rather avoid difficult conversations because you think you will keep the harmony in a relationship in doing so, please listen closely:

For the longest time I shied away from having those uneasy conversations. I would rather avoid and/or suppress my thoughts and feelings than sitting down and sharing how I really felt about certain things. Needless to say this behaviour would usually backfire because as we all very well know: suppressed stuff (thoughts, feelings, resentment) will come out eventually and then it usually comes out in a weird way or in full on aggressive ways. Working with my clients together on how to initiate these uncomfortable conversations is where I feel I can support them the best to have enjoyable and long lasting relationships.

Being in close contact with family or at home dealing with family I realize the importance of facing the discomfort and potential resistance or rejection from another person. Here in North-America we live in a culture where challenging feelings and thoughts are not welcome but this can easily lead to relationship breakdowns and very unpleasant workplace climate. Avoiding conflict at all cost can eventually cost us our sense of community and belonging because we choose to not express what’s going on on the inside.

In essence, having difficult conversations is a testament to the value you place on the relationship. It requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to work through challenges together. When approached with respect and a genuine desire for understanding, difficult conversations can lead to growth, stronger bonds, and healthier, more resilient relationships. I strongly believe we need each other and healthy relationships in order to build stronger/more resilient communities. We need to be present with each other and have the self-awareness and courage it takes to engage in these crucial conversations.

Written by Aurora Eggert
The Yurt Experience

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