Posts tagged communication
The Art of Repair in Relationships
The Art of Repair in Relationships

In Japan, kintsugi is the art of mending of broken objects. Sometimes our relationships can feel broken. We make mistakes, we see things from different points of view, we disagree, our priorities shift, we drift apart. Every relationship encounters conflict. No relationship is perfect. The greatest marker of a healthy relationship is one that is able to repair effectively. Repair is the cornerstone of a secure relationship. Cultivating the capacity to recover from conflict helps us restore safety and trust. 

Like kintsugi, mending our relationships makes them resilient and whole again. When we invest in the art of repair, we end up with something that not only stands the test of time, but actually increases in value.

Using the acronym R.E.P.A.I.R, this article explores six basic principles to restore connection in your relationships.

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People and RelationshipsErin Masonrelationships, secure relationship, healthy relationships, repair, conflict, conflict resolution, restore, security, self-regulation, empathy, empowerment, compassion, receptivity, resilience, reconciliation, art, breakup, trust, communication, resolution, reciprocity, reflective listening, authenticity
The Dance: How to Ask for Space Without Stepping on Each Other's Toes
The Dance: How to Ask for Space Without Stepping on Each Other's Toes

Overlapping work demands, social schedules, and family obligations can take a toll on our relationship with our partner. We may feel like we’ve lost connection. We may feel taken for granted. We may crave time alone or separate from our partner. How can we ask for what we need without potentially upsetting our partner? What if one person wants more time together and the other needs time apart? It can be painful when the needs of our partner conflict with our own needs. Yet the tension of conflicting needs and the process (“dance”) of discovering resolution can help us to recalibrate, reconnect, and ultimately establish a deeper level of intimacy.

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People and RelationshipsErin Masonboundaries, balance, couples, couples therapy, relationships, connection, discovery, healthy relationships, interdependence, independence, love, mutuality, perspective, security, secure relationship, trust, truth, transition, exploration, vulnerability, values, time, space, conflict, honesty, non-judgement, curiosity, self-awareness, communication, self-regulation, partner, attunement, intimacy