Ease Tensions with Talk strategies

I don’t know about you, but I sure am having a lot of relevant breakthrough conversations this week.

In our monthly theme of Venus Retrograde, it seems that conflicts of old are coming to the surface all around.

Luckily, I have spent lots of dollars couple’s therapy sessions which have offered me key strategies to engage in uncomfortable topics with people I care about.

Last week, I spoke about Tuckman’s model of group development, which includes the essential phase of Storming. 

This week, I want to give some ideas of how to get the best results from this uncomfortable stage.

I know it isn’t easy. I am definitely not perfect at these skills, but I know they work.

Remember that this is for your own benefit of gaining insight and getting to a place of peace.

Here are some keys the castle of healthy communication:

Active Listening: Even if you disagree with what they are saying, let them speak as you listen. Do your best to give open body language with eye contact to show you’re tuned in.

If this seems impossible, or they cannot reciprocate, set a short timer during which each of you gets to say your peace without interruption.

Paraphrase: They only healthy interruption is for clarity. It’s incredible how easy it is to feel heard when someone reflects back what you are saying, word for word, or close to it.

“I’m feeling like you don’t want me around when your kids are here.”

“I’m hearing you say that you feel unwanted in family time.”

Or, when you ask probing or open-ended questions to learn more about what someone experienced:

“What did that bring up for you emotionally?” 

Minimal Encouragers: Non-verbal sounds of empathy are powerful medicine. “Mmmm-hmmm”, “Ahhhh”, and “Uh huh” are surprisingly supportive at building trust with someone sharing vulnerability.

As the name implies, these are the minimum that we can give to show empathy. Even if you disagree, you can supply these soft sounds to resonate consideration for what they are experiencing.

While you might already know these well, it’s a good reminder to step into your best self to create healing with those who you differ with.

We each have our own unique lens that we interpret life through, and it’s always worthwhile to see things through someone else’s glasses.

If you want to update your life lens prescription, sign up for a tarot reading today to see what angle the cards suggest you take. 

Scroll down for more tips in active listening.

Good Luck in the battlefields of human connection. It’s worth it.

Peace and Love,

Jenna Lynne Roberts

Present Path Tarot

Image courtesy https://unsplash.com/@harlimarten