Then, ask questions to make sure each side understands what the other person thinks, feels, and wants. To identify the source of the conflict, you have to pay attention and listen carefully. To listen actively, make sure you understand your partner and paraphrase the other party’s points.
- A 2011 research study found that high conflict avoidance in a relationship will likely cause relationship dissatisfaction for women, but not necessarily for men.
- Remind yourself that the goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection and understanding.
- Celebrate small victories, like having a calm conversation about a disagreement or assertively expressing your feelings.
- Noah Williams is a passionate writer focusing on matters of the heart and mind.
Have a weekly meeting with your partner

Whatever your goals, it’s the struggle to get there that’s most rewarding. It’s almost as if life itself is inviting us to embrace difficulty—not amphetamine addiction treatment as punishment but as a design feature. In this case, also the third parties that provide the widget will be informed of interactions and Usage Data on the pages where this service is installed.
- Change takes time, but every conversation that addresses emotions instead of evading them builds trust.
- Of course, disagreements may be necessary, and when you can’t have these, you may feel like you are incompatible with your mate.
- It’s important to remember that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step towards personal growth.
Give Them Time to Process
But learning how to handle conflict (thoughtfully, that is) might be one of the most powerful skills you can build—not just for your relationships how to deal with someone who avoids conflict but for your own sense of peace too. With small, steady steps, you can learn to share your truth, listen with compassion, and build deeper trust. Remember, conflict avoidance might feel like the safer option in the moment, but it doesn’t lead to lasting peace.
- Boundaries help individuals establish limits and protect their emotional and physical well-being.
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They might feel ill-equipped to navigate disagreements constructively, leading to avoidance as a default coping mechanism. While the thought of facing conflict head-on can seem intimidating or overwhelming, it is typically possible to develop or refine your conflict management and conflict resolution skills over time. Try to be patient, as the way a person copes with conflict is typically deeply ingrained in them, often from childhood, and may take time to change.

A counselor can offer techniques on how to resolve conflict with a partner while ensuring both individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves. “These are what we refer to as your ‘low risk’ or ‘safe’ people,” Sagaram says—the ones who are most likely to respond with understanding (and not judge or cut you off). Maybe for you, this involves expressing your annoyance to a sibling who keeps borrowing your clothes, or a longtime best friend who made a sarcastic (but hurtful) joke. Overcoming conflict avoidance is a process, not an overnight fix.
Whether you’re experiencing conflict https://viennawoodsinn.com/alcohol-withdrawal-causes-symptoms-timeline-and-4/ at home, work, or school, learning these skills can help you resolve differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships. Similarly, conflict avoidance isn’t good for our working relationships. A study on workplace incivility found that avoiding conflict doesn’t stop friction from reoccurring in the workplace. However, some people avoid conflict at all costs — even when the conflict is necessary.
