Communication In Relationships: Why It’s Important To Speak Your Mind

Reviewed by: Jennifer Plisko, LCSW

Open and honest communication is a pillar of healthy relationships. Being able to speak openly, honestly, and freely. However, there are some couples who aren’t able to do so in their relationships. Perhaps they’re part of a toxic relationship where they are unable to speak their mind. Maybe they just don’t know how.

Or the problem is a bit more individual and personal and they’re simply scared of opening up and speaking honestly to their partner. Many of the communication challenges in relationships come from old relational patterns and need to be addressed and resolved so that the relationship can strongly move forward.

In some cases, turning to a relationship coaching retreat for individuals can help you understand yourself better. Understand where your communication issues come from. Even making the first step such as learning about common communication problems in a relationship may bring you closer to understanding and speaking your truth.

Is It Good To Speak Your Mind In A Relationship?

Yes, speaking your mind in relationships is a good thing. You can express yourself in an open and honest way to a partner who’s understanding, caring, open to hearing your truth. Sharing your own personal thoughts and feelings with your partner can help you improve and deepen your relationship.

However, what if you’re feeling uncomfortable opening up? If you’ve had an unpleasant experience of not being able to openly communicate with your partner in previous relationships, you might be wary of doing so again. Which is entirely understandable. Perhaps you’ve been blamed and judged for expressing a divergent opinion to your partner’s.

Or maybe your partner and you didn’t see eye to eye with each other. However, that doesn’t mean that being open and honest with your partner is something to be avoided. Speaking your mind allows you to be you, while being equally respectful, empathetic, and loving with your partner.

Why Am I So Afraid Of Speaking Up?

One of the biggest reasons why people are usually afraid of speaking up in a relationship is because they are afraid of insulting or alienating people closest to them.

And, avoiding conflict seems like the easier way to go… in the moment. In the long run, avoiding having your voice will create more problems.

Whether due to past experiences or current fears, the inability to speak your mind can end up causing profound dissatisfaction. Not being able to express yourself, not feeling heard, or understood can affect yourself and your relationship.

Why does the thought of speaking your truth make you feel uncomfortable? There might be many potential reasons why individuals are scared of speaking their mind in a relationship:

You’re afraid your partner is going to judge you for the things you say.
You’re scared of hurting your partner’s feelings.
You’re uneasy sharing your honest thoughts with your partner because you’re afraid of alienating them.
You think that you might make mistakes while expressing your opinions or feelings.
You fear confrontation if your opinions and thoughts are different from your partner’s.
You think it might come off as petty to share diverging opinions.
You’ve had unpleasant past experiences when sharing your truth.
You’re afraid your partner won’t completely understand what you are trying to express.
You don’t want to upset your partner.

Why Is It Important To Speak Your Mind In A Relationship?

Once you begin to confront your fears of speaking openly in your relationship, it’s a good idea to take a look at all of the benefits of doing so. This will further help you free yourself up to the possibility of sharing your honest thoughts and feelings more frequently.

You will open the door to your partner understanding who you are better.
You will preserve your emotional health by not bottling important things up.
You will begin to share the inner, hidden self with your partner.
Your self-respect will gradually begin to increase.
Your partner will start to respect your feelings more.
You’ll avoid regretting not speaking up when it was time to do so.
The communication between you and your partner will become more open.

How To Speak Your Truth In A Relationship

Why Is It Important To Speak Your Mind In A Relationship

It’s important to know that speaking your mind is not an invitation to an argument or road to confrontation. Speaking your truth is the freedom to share your thoughts, feelings, fears, and even dissatisfactions with your partner. In an honest, open, and caring way.

Speaking openly means you are free to empathetically share with your partner without being met with disapproval, judgement, or anger. Simply be heard, understood, and appreciated. Here’s how you can attempt to do so:

Say what’s on your mind while being respectful.
Understand that you are allowed to feel the way you do.
Be clear and honest about your desires and wishes.
Don’t be afraid of saying something your partner disagrees with.
Allow yourself to feel all the emotions you’re experiencing.
Don’t apologize for your emotions.
Be open about wanting to be heard.

Start Communicating Better At PIVOT Private Couples Retreat For Reconnection

If you and your partner are finding it difficult to communicate well, and you’re not sure what is causing it and what you can do about it, don’t be afraid to seek help. That is the first step in trying to find a solution to you and your partner’s communication difficulties that you may be facing on a daily basis.

When attempting to resolve communication problems, it’s important to first determine the underlying reason behind them. Sometimes, it might be because you or your partner are trying to avoid conflict or because you’re afraid of being completely honest in your relationship. Whatever the reason, it’s vital to pinpoint it. However, that can be difficult to do, which is why you can consider contacting qualified and experience relationship advocates from PIVOT. We organize both group emotional and communication problems workshops, as well as individual couples workshops. We will help you share your truth with your partner. Contact us today!