Marriage Communication: Saying No

How do you create a better, more honest marriage communication? Two words: Say no.

There is nothing wrong with saying no to people who are asking us for favors or asking us to do things for them, even and most especially our partners. And sometimes, saying no is the best thing you can do for yourself and for your marriage, especially in situations where infidelity is involved.

Saying no to others sets up boundaries for you regarding the things you are willing to do and the things you aren’t. It allows you to draw a line, and to avoid getting caught up in things that could be destructive to your relationship, or even to you as an individual.

When you say no, it does not always mean that you are being rude or mean or that you don’t want to help this other person. It will not always be met with negativity or bad reactions. In fact, it can help develop our marriage communication. Sometimes, what keeps us from saying no, even when we really want to, is the fear of these negative reactions, or the fear of not being accepted by our partners or by other people.

This fear becomes the reason behind further mistrust in a relationship, and it damages our marriage communication. When we choose to endure doing something we don’t like doing or we choose to suffer because we are afraid of rejection, it creates doubts, questions and issues between you and partner.

How will you be able to fully trust your partner when you are afraid of him or her? When you say no, you let your partner know that you are not afraid of him or her, and develop your marriage communication. This usually develops respect in your partner because he or she is aware of the things you will tolerate from him or her and the things that you won’t.