Emotions can drive your actions and behaviors more than you might think. No one can choose which emotions they feel at any given time, but how you express them and react to what you’re feeling can make a big difference, especially in your relationship.
Far too often, people try to ignore their emotions or “shove” them down. But emotions demand to be felt.
The more you open yourself up to your own emotions and accept them for what they are, the easier it will be to express them to your partner, too.
When you’re able to share your emotions, your partner will have a deeper understanding of why you react to things in certain ways. That can help strengthen your relationship and create more intimacy. Plus, when you’re willing to share your emotions and be more vulnerable, it’s likely your partner will do the same.
With that in mind, let’s look at four ways expressing emotions can help your intimate relationship.
1. There is No Room for Assumptions
Your partner doesn’t know what you’re thinking. No one is a mind reader. So, if you’re holding your emotions back and it’s causing you to act differently, they will not know why.
They also won’t know what to do to help you or to “fix” the situation, because they won’t know what’s wrong. Expressing your emotions saves a lot of time and unnecessary conflict within your relationship. You can express what you need or want, and your partner can respond accordingly. There will be no room for incorrect judgments from either of you.
2. Managing Miscommunication
Arguments and confusion in relationships often start because of miscommunication. If you’re pushing your emotions away, you’re more likely to mis-communicate, either by leaving out important information or denying your true feelings.
If you choose to communicate freely and openly, you stop that cycle. As a result, you can have disagreements that are effective and productive, which can make you a stronger couple in the long run. Arguments are healthy when they are done the right way.
3. You’ll Feel More Connected
You can’t feel truly connected and intimate with your partner if there’s a part of you that’s holding something back. Whether you think you’re doing it for the “right” reasons or not, keeping any part of your emotions inside is creating a disconnect between the two of you.
That might seem like something small. But over time, it can start to feel worse, and grow into something beyond your control until the relationship suffers.
4. You’ll Feel Safer
While sharing your emotions can make you feel vulnerable, it can also end up making you feel safer and more secure. Keeping emotions inside often triggers your “fight or flight” mode. You might distance yourself from your partner, or start an argument.
Obviously, both options are going to drive a wedge between you.
If you choose to open up and share your emotions, instead, you’re less likely to feel you need to leave the situation or argue about it. It might be scary, at first. But it will teach you how to build more trust with your partner, and let you know that you always have someone in your corner to listen and accept your emotions.
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Sharing your feelings isn’t always easy, but it can improve the intimacy in your relationship. If you’re too uncomfortable to share your emotions or you don’t like how your partner has responded in the past, contact us today. One of our highly skilled couples counselors can help you get to the root of the issues so you feel more confident in expressing how you truly feel. Serenity EFTC offers couples counseling in Colorado.