How to Reduce the Emotional Distance in a Relationship
Whether it is feeling physical attraction towards your spouse or partner, or simply relating to them on an emotional level, you know the value of these emotions. Therefore, if even the slightest of these emotions is lost, you know something is amiss.
Emotional connection is of great importance in any successful relationship.
People particularly women tend to value emotional attachment in romantic relationships.
It is often the lack of this understanding, that men are unable to provide what many women are looking for. In the absence of an emotional bond, partners may sometimes feel disconnected.
It is due to this, that relationships lose the spark that was there when the couple got together for the first time.
What is an emotional distance in a relationship?
Emotional distance in a relationship refers to how the two partners start to drift apart from each other.
This drifting apart may not be immediately noticed by the two people, however, when they start recognizing the signs of this distancing, they must quickly work towards reducing this gap.
Emotional distance in a relationship can lead to the couple feeling as if they’ve lost the passion that they once felt for each other. It is this emotional drifting that makes the two feel as if they don’t really have much to say to each other, other than the day to day updates regarding their general activities.
As a result, the two people often find it difficult to make casual conversation. They may find themselves making serious efforts to talk to each other whereas this may never have been the case before.
Such a distance in any relationship, particularly romantic ones, means that the two people are not connecting with each other on a deep level. This emotional distancing can make partners feel isolated. As a result, the partners may even feel the need to spend some time alone by themselves.
How can you work to reduce the emotional distance?
Once you recognize the problem, it is essential that you take the steps needed to deal with the issues prevailing in your relationship.
You can work on improving things by asking yourself some basic questions. Sit down in a quiet place and make a list of things that you think have been going on lately in your life or the life your partner.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have I been too nosy lately?
- Have I been moody?
- Is there some work-related tension bothering me or my partner?
- Is there is any financial disturbance?
- Is there any family issue that might be bothering me or my partner?
- Am I keeping any grudges inside of me because of our last fight?
- How have things changed lately?
After answering such questions, try to figure out if you have been the reason behind the emotional drift.
If so, start off by eliminating all the things that led you to be this way. If not, you can even try to discuss things with your partner in a calm manner. Make sure that you talk to your partner politely and try to make them understand your concerns.
Your tone may play a crucial role in the response you get
Many times, partners may avoid such conversations for the sake of preventing conflict or simply because they don’t want to talk about it. If such stonewalling behavior persists, you must devise some other plan to make things work.
Sometimes, giving your partner space they need also helps.
A little time alone will help them think straight and can prove to be beneficial for your relationship.
If you decide to use this technique, then try not let your partner feel as if you’ve stranded them. Once in a while, show that you are there for them and that you care. Try to praise your partner (without sounding fake), stop criticizing and complaining all the time.
Be sure to work on yourself first.
Maintain a balance in all that you do and don’t seem desperate to get that emotional connection that you’ve always wanted. Sometimes, your desperation is what will drive your partner further away. So, keep working on yourself and the things you like. And don’t forget to let time play its role.
Want to have a happier, healthier marriage?
If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.
Sylvia Smith loves to share insights on how couples can revitalize their love lives in and out of the bedroom. As a writer at Marriage.com, she is a big believer in living consciously and encourages couples to adopt this principle in their lives too. By taking purposeful and a whole-hearted action, Sylvia feels that every couple can transform their relationship into a happier, healthier one.
