Making assumptions in a relationship is never a good idea. You might think you know what your partner is thinking, or what they want, but you’re usually wrong. Even if you’re right sometimes, it’s not worth the risk of making an assumption and being wrong. It can lead to arguments, miscommunications, and trust issues.
If you’re not sure about something, ask your partner directly. It might be uncomfortable at the moment, but it’s better than making an assumption that could cause problems down the road.
Besides, your partner will appreciate your willingness to communicate openly and honestly. So next time you’re tempted to make an assumption, resist the urge and follow the steps listed below instead.
5 steps to follow to stop assuming things in a relationship:
1- Be honest and open with your partner:
The first way to stop making assumptions in a relationship is, to be honest with your partner. If you’re not sure about something or have doubts about anything at all, then ask your partner directly instead of making assumptions.
This can be difficult at first, but it will help to prevent misunderstandings. It’s also important, to be honest about your own feelings and needs. By communicating openly, you and your partner can build a stronger relationship based on mutual understanding.
So, if you’re not sure about something, talk to your partner directly and get their side of the story. Chances are, they’re not even aware that they’re doing anything wrong. Communicating openly and honestly is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and build a strong, healthy relationship.
2- Give your partner the benefit of the doubt:
If you find that you’re constantly making assumptions in your relationship, it’s important to try to nip that in the bud. When we make assumptions, we’re usually jumping to conclusions without all of the information.
We might think we know what our partner is thinking or why they did something, but chances are good that we’re wrong. If you find yourself making assumptions, try to give your partner the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe they had a good reason for doing what they did, even if you don’t know what it is. It’s also important to find excuses for your partner when they make a mistake. Everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes. If you can give them a break and not hold it against them, it’ll go a long way in keeping your couple healthy and happy.
3- Build the best opinion of your partner:
We’ve all been there. You’re in a relationship and you start to notice your partner does something that gets under your skin. Maybe they leave their socks on the floor or they neglect to put the dishes away after dinner, even after you’ve asked them many times not to do that.
In this case, it’s easy to start making assumptions about their intentions, at this point. Maybe you think they’re lazy or don’t care about you. Or, maybe you think they don’t care about what you have to say and don’t take you seriously.
However, it’s important to remember that these are just assumptions. You don’t know for sure what their motives are, so it’s best to build the best opinion of your partner that you can. Maybe, your partner had an exhausting day at work and they’re feeling too tired to make that little extra effort to please you. Or, maybe they were about to do whatever it is you’d prefer them to do and just got busy with something else.
After all, your partner must have good reasons for doing what they do and they can’t be as horrible as you’d be inclined to think, in a moment of frustration. Remember that you chose them to be your partner for a reason. Assumptions can only lead to trouble in a relationship, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
In fact, we all tend to think the worst of our partners even though they may be doing perfectly fine. This is usually due to the fact that we don’t want to get hurt and so we prepare for the worst. However, having the best opinion of your partner will help you see things from their perspective and realize that they’re not always out to get you.
So next time you find yourself making an assumption about your partner, take a step back and try to see things from their point of view. You may be surprised at what you discover.
4- Build trust and a deep bond with your partner:
We’ve all been there before, assuming we know what our partner is thinking, or what they want, without actually asking them. And more often than not, these assumptions lead to conflict and misunderstandings, as explained many times before.
If you’re looking to cut down on the number of assumptions you make in your relationship, here’s another good tip: try to get to know your partner more and spend more quality time together. When you take the time to truly connect with your partner, you’ll be less likely to make assumptions about their thoughts and intentions.
Instead, you’ll be able to build a stronger, more trusting relationship based on mutual understanding.
5- Change the way you communicate with your partner:
Finally, if you find yourself making a lot of assumptions in your relationships, it might be time to hit the brakes and have an honest conversation with your partner.
One way to do this is by using “I feel” statements. For example, instead of saying “You never help around the house,” you could say “I feel like I’m always the one doing the dishes.” This statement is more likely to lead to a productive conversation because it expresses how you feel without putting blame on your partner.
So try to be more aware of the way you communicate with your partner. When you’re pointing out their flaws, do so in a constructive way. Again, instead of saying “you’re always leaving your dirty socks on the floor,” try “I would appreciate it if you put your socks in the hamper.”
In the end, someone who makes a lot of unjustified assumptions is probably also someone who’s a know-it-all and who thinks they know everything. So if you think this is your spouse then can check this article out on how to deal with a know-it-all husband.