W here there is love, there are also disagreements. Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of life. But, it is essential to remember that minor conflicts don’t mean the end of the road. It only means there is a minor setback, and you can work it out.
However, addressing friction can be scary. So, here is how to approach conflict in life on time without cowering and letting things go worse.
Acknowledge the Conflict
Conflicts are not always bad news. If you take them as an opportunity to improve communication and grow wiser, then it will seem like a piece of cake to solve it. However, to resolve any conflict in life, it is crucial to accept that there is a problem and that it needs attention.
Rationalize It
It is easy to lose your temper and get defensive when someone voices a concern that leads to conflict. However, lashing out is not the way to approach any battle in life. Instead, it is essential to be patient and rationalize fears. This step will help you in understanding the problem instead of multiplying it.
Voice Your Concern
Listening to yourself is vital to rationalizing things. First, figure out how you’re feeling, the problem, and how it affects you. Then, voice your concerns by asking yourself what your pressing feelings are, how the other person’s actions have hurt you, and how you would like to sort it out.
Studies show that we often underestimate our hurt, which leads to permanent resentment towards others!
Try To See Different Perspectives
Bottling up your feelings is not the way to go, but delving in only perspective might make things even harder. Once you address your feelings, try to expand your understanding of the problem by being open to listening to the other side.
When you decide to talk to the other person you’re in conflict with, make sure you go into the conversation as communicating your issue, not confronting it.
Employ Neutral Language
When having a conversation and voicing out your concerns, try to avoid the usage of profanities, foul language, name-calling, or other forms of abusive lingo. Again, your priority should be to resolve the conflict, not escalate it.
Redirect your anger and restate your statements in your less inflammatory language for productive discussion
Focus On The Problem, Not The Person
Try to separate the problem from the person by seeing the problem as a particular problem or circumstance that bothered you. This way, you won’t see your negative feelings as the only feeling associated with the person.
Seeing a problem as something specific makes solving it more manageable. You would remember that your issue is with something that happened, not with the person.
Include Everyone In The Solution
Everyone involved in the conflict should be included when working on a possible solution. The only way to move forward is for every party involved to stop placing blame and take accountability for their actions and words. Once everyone commits to moving forward together, only then can the conflict be solved.
Be Okay With Agreeing To Disagree
Everyone’s feelings are valid. However, being right in the argument is not essential. You don’t have to agree with everyone. You just have to agree to resolve the problem on hand. There is no ultimate “truth” that may render things unsolvable. So, as long as you accept the main goal is to sort things out, it is okay to let go of some reservations.
Keep Future In Mind
During a conflict, it is common for an angry person to think about every little thing that bothered them in the past. Therefore, it is essential to let these feelings out instead of dwelling in the past. Once you convey how you feel, there are more chances of solving these issues.
If you don’t talk it out, there are many chances it will bother you again in the future. So, devise a plan to address the current conflict and those that may be linked to it and can arise in the future.
Don’t Involve Unnecessary People
Maintain confidentiality. It can’t be said enough. Do not involve people in the said conflict who have nothing to do with it. The more people will know, the messier the situation will become. Plus, you can ensure that rumors don’t fly by avoiding ranting to unnecessary parties!
Knowing how to approach conflict in life can help you overcome hurdles in close friendships and relationships. Now that you know how to approach conflict in life, take your first steps towards solving it.
