RELATIONSHIP TIP OF THE WEEK: Stop Sweeping

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

Sorry ladies, this tip doesn’t mean to put down your broom. What this tip really means is to stop sweeping the dirt in your relationship under the rug. With both friends and lovers, incidents will inevitably occur which provoke hurt or anger. In some situations, we can let go and move on with the relationship. But if any resentment is going to linger, then feelings need to be expressed. Ignoring incidents increases the likelihood that the same thing will happen again and resentment will build. This pile of dirt that no one speaks about eventually leads people to withdraw or even leave the relationship.

Expressing our feelings about what hurts or angers us is uncomfortable at the time; but, in a loving relationship, the disclosure results in more connectedness. Lovers and friends who value your relationship will use the disclosure as an opportunity to learn how to avoid hurting you in the future. So stop walking around that growing pile of dirt under the rug that only creates distance in your relationship and attempt to clear the space between you.

[Marcia Dove]

I don't sweep things under the rug.....I file it all in my special (and large) Filing Cabinet....lol...