Are you in that frustrating position of having a guy who has become negative about your relationship or even life in general?
Is it possible to deal with your partner’s bad attitude without walking away or failing yourself in the process?
Absolutely! You do not have to let your partner’s terrible attitude bring you down. Nor do you have to cave in and walk on eggshells around a man.
Here’s what to do if he has a bad attitude and it’s time to combat it for your sanity, your sweetheart’s benefit and your relationship’s sake:
1. Open up a dialogue.
You might need to open the lines of communication. Simply ask what is wrong and why. Inquire what can be done to fix it. Try to be non-threatening and come from a position of “fact finding.”
Remember, you’re not trying to pick a fight. Your goal is to get to the bottom of it and create a solution.
2. Give him space.
Depending on the cause of the issue, he may simply require some time to think the situation through. Trying to “battle it out” when he is down simply may not have good results no matter how happy you remain.
If you attempt to find out what is wrong and your partner counters with a request for time or space, provide it – at least for a while. When you re-visit the issue later on, do it in a gentle manner.
3. Be a good listener.
Cultivate your listening skills. Open-mindedness is a must. If the lines of communication do open, listen closely to what he says. Your mission is to discover what the issue is, not defend yourself.
4. Stick to the topic.
Brace yourself for hearing things you may not be excited about. It is possible that a past action of yours is what is causing that bad attitude today. If this is the case, resist the temptation to counterattack. You can address your grievances at another time.
5. Be understanding.
Everyone has a right to their feelings. Acknowledge them and try to put yourself in your partner’s shoes.
Having compassion and understanding for his feelings is essential.
Even if you don’t fully agree with what he says, accept that your partner is feeling “negative,” “angry,” “sad,” or “disappointed.” It’s all right to state your own feelings, but avoid belittling him at all costs.
6. Approach negativity with positivity.
Proceed in a positive fashion. Avoid allowing his poor attitude or mood to rub off on you. If you both fall into a funk, things will only get worse as you draw each other further and further into the quagmire.
Communicating with a negative partner requires a willingness to communicate fairly without allowing his bad mood to rub off on you. If emotions are too hot or maintaining a positive approach is just not possible in the heat of the moment, step back, think things through and try again later.
Remember, you cannot always change someone’s attitude, but you can choose to be happy and positive yourself.
