Relationships Archives

Handling Conflict 101: The Combative Mindset

What’s your way of handling conflict? What do you think is the main reason that trivial conflicts escalate into full-blown arguments? According to the Arbinger Institute, the author of The Anatomy of Peace, some people have difficulty resolving conflict peacefully and effectively because they adopt what they call a “combative mindset.” There are three elements of the combative mindset: collusion, self-betrayal, and justification. In this article, we’ll examine how the combative mindset causes failures in our approach to conflict.

The 3 Adult Attachment Styles & What They Mean

What are the three adult attachment styles? Which combinations of styles match up the best? How do you navigate a relationship with mismatched styles? The three adult attachment styles are secure, anxious, and avoidant. Secure attachers make up the majority of the population and can pretty much get along with any other type. On the other hand, if you combine an anxious attacher with an avoidant attacher, you’re looking for trouble. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the three adult attachment styles.

Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment Book

What is the book Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment about? How can learning about your attachment style help improve your relationships? Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment is based on the premise that people are biologically driven to seek intimacy and closeness with a significant other. There are three attachment styles: secure, anxious, and avoidant. Keep reading to learn more about the adult attachment styles from Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment.

Attached: Book Quotes From Amir Levine

Looking for Attached book quotes? What can Amir Levine teach you about the attachment styles? In Attached, Amir Levine discusses the psychology of the three attachment styles in order to help you improve your relationship. His advice works for both new relationships and long-term marriages. Keep reading for Attached book quotes from Amir Levine.

Relationships With Others: Finding Flow

Liking Bias: Why We Ignore Faults in People We Love

How do your relationships with others affect your quality of life? How can finding a community help you reach the flow state of mind? Because we depend on people’s affirmation, learning to improve the quality of your relationships will improve the overall quality of your life. Like any other flow activity, relationships won’t stay enjoyable without adding complexity and challenge to them over time. Learn how to find flow in your relationships with others.

Avoidant and Anxious Attachment: Dating Tips

Is it possible to make an avoidant and anxious attachment relationship work? What are the best tips to improve an avoidant-anxious relationship? When an avoidant and anxious attacher date, it often results in conflict. However, avoidant and anxious attachment relationships are possible with some extra work. Here are the best tips to make an avoidant and anxious relationship work.

Anxious Avoidant Relationships: The Worst Combo

Why should you avoid an anxious-avoidant relationship? Why do relationships between anxious and avoidant attachers often fail? What signs should you look out for? When anxious attachers and avoidant attachers get into a relationship, conflict is inevitable. In the best case, the relationship is a rollercoaster ride, and in the worst cases, the relationship leads to abuse. Keep reading to learn why anxious-avoidant relationships should be given a wide berth.

Honesty in a Relationship: Why It’s Essential

Are you always honest in your relationship? Do you ever tell small lies to avoid discomfort? Why is being agreeable actually detrimental? When your partner asks, “do I look good?” the obvious answer would be, “yes.” But what if you actually think their polka dot shirt clashes with their striped pants? Do you tell them? Yes, because honesty in a relationship is more important than agreeableness. Keep reading to find out why honesty in a relationship is more important than peace.

How to Handle Fights in a Relationship: Advice & Tips

How do secure attachers handle fights in a relationship? Why do anxious and avoidant attachers fear conflict? Despite the romantic myth, every relationship has fights—it’s how they handle them that sets couples apart. Secure attachers tend to grow closer after conflicts while anxious and avoidant attachers tend to handle them poorly. Keep reading to learn how to handle fights in a relationship like a secure attacher.

Communication Is Key in a Relationship: Here’s Why

What does the book Attached have to say about communication in a relationship? How can you communicate like a secure attacher? Effective communication is key in a relationship and secure attachers tend to be the best at expressing their needs and expectations. Anxious and avoidant attachers, however, tend to struggle with communication. Keep reading to learn how the different attachment styles communicate and how to communicate like a secure attacher.