- I have been very stressed and Yes Definitely Maybe A little
irritable - I have not expressed much Yes Definitely Maybe A little
appreciation toward my spouse - I have been overly sensitive Yes Definitely Maybe A little
- I have been overly critical Yes Definitely Maybe A little
- I have not shared very much Yes Definitely Maybe A little
of my inner world - I have been depressed Yes Definitely Maybe A little
- I would say that I have a chip on YesDefinitely Maybe A little
my shoulder - I have not been very affectionate Yes Definitely Maybe A little
- Have not been a very good YesDefinitely Maybe A little
listener - I have been feeling a bit like Yes Definitely Maybe A little
a martyr
Overall, my contribution to this mess was:
How can I make this better in the future?
What one thing could my partner do next time to ovoid this
problem?
As you work through the exercises above, you'll become more
adept at turning toward each other regularly, and the bond of
camaraderie with your spouse will deepen. This more profound
friendship will be a powerful shield against conflict. It may not
forestall every argument, but it can prevent your differences of
opinion from overwhelming your relationship. One of the ways
friendship does this is by helping to balance the power between
husband and wife.