13 Proven Ways to Bridge Communication Gap in Relationships

Modern Problems require modern solutions and I believe it is equally applicable to relationships. In today’s times, relationships have become quite complex. It may be accurate to say that people themselves make them complex. As many individuals hope for sweetness in their relationships, nowadays they often find themselves dealing with more bitterness than expected. This happens not only because they have to face new problems in their relationship all the time but also because they don’t know how to deal with problems when they arise. Today, we are going to discuss the issue of the communication gap where we will explore 13 proven ways to bridge the communication gap in relationships.

What is a Communication Gap?

Before proceeding, we must understand what is a communication gap. And here, I don’t just want to ask from the perspective of relationships but rather from a general perspective, how would you define a communication gap? I would like to hear your thoughts on this in the comments section.

If I were to simplify the concept of a communication gap, it can be described as the knowledge gap in understanding between the sender and the receiver of a message. This means that when there is a difference between what the sender intends to convey and what the receiver actually comprehends, it leads to a communication gap. It can also be seen as a failed attempt in the communication process where either the sender fails to convey the message effectively or the receiver fails to fully understand it.

If we look at it through the lens of a relationship, a communication gap means misunderstandings arising between a couple due to a lack of proper communication between them. It’s quite common for misunderstandings to surface in a relationship, and often the primary reason behind this is a lack of proper communication.

Improper communication is indeed a sign of an unhealthy relationship. If communication between partners has decreased or ceased altogether, it signifies a serious issue. While there can be various reasons behind communication gaps in a relationship, in this article, we will focus on how to bridge these barriers rather than delving into their specific causes. Indirectly, we will also address the reasons why these barriers exist in a relationship.

13 Proven Ways to Bridge Communication Gaps in a Relationship

Bridging the communication gap is indeed challenging and requires a collaborative approach. To a significant extent, you also need to set aside your self-esteem and ego. While it’s possible to bridge the communication gap by paying attention to certain factors and following them diligently before the situation worsens, your approach matters a lot before determining the seriousness of the situation. Now let straight away dive into 13 proven ways to bridge the communication gap in a relationship:

1. Let Down Your Ego

The first step to bridging the communication gap in your relationship is letting down your ego. Your ego is often the biggest reason for communication gaps in relationships because people frequently confuse their ego with self-respect. Understanding the difference between self-respect and ego is crucial as it is causing a lot of misunderstandings in relationships.

People’s tolerance levels have significantly decreased; they find it difficult to accept the truth easily. Their patience levels have plummeted, making it easy for anyone to shatter their ego and self-esteem. We mustn’t allow this to happen; you need to set aside your ego if you genuinely want your relationship to work.

If you are serious about your relationship, you will have to make an effort first, and for that, you’ll need to put your ego aside. I’m not suggesting you let go of your ego entirely; rather, I’m suggesting you reduce it a bit and take the first step to bridge the communication gap.

Also Read: 12 Powerful Ways to Define What Is Self-Respect in a Relationship

2. Give Time

If you want your relationship to work healthy, it’s essential to invest your time in it. Many people complain about having communication gaps in their relationships, but they fail to realize that the reason could also be not giving enough time to their partner. Your time is precious, but investing a portion of it in your relationship is also important. When you don’t give adequate time to your partner, differences start to emerge between both of you.

You can’t understand their feelings and emotions because the time you should be spending with your partner is being devoted elsewhere. So, I think it’s important to understand the importance of time and also realize that you need to invest it in your relationship to reap long-term healthy benefits. If you allocate proper time, these differences won’t arise, and it won’t lead to misunderstandings that create communication barriers.

3. Make The First Move

Yes, you heard it right. Make the first move to bridge that communication gap in your relationship. Remember, by doing so, you won’t diminish your stature. I believe that putting in effort for something you value shouldn’t be seen as a burden. In many relationships, communication gaps exist simply because no one takes the initiative to resolve conflicts, and this is where egos often come into play, preventing people from taking the first step.

Look, you will never overcome things until and unless you try. So, make the first move and genuinely strive to bridge communication gaps in your relationship. Remember, taking the first step is always difficult, but once you take that step, things will gradually become easier, and step by step, you will figure out ways to progress ahead with ease. Therefore, you’ll need to show some daring in your relationship and set aside your ego a little.

4. Talk Openly

Now that you’ve taken the first step and have the responsibility to initiate the conversation, the next step is to speak openly with your partner. Being open means talking about everything with transparency. Don’t hide anything, don’t speak indirectly, and don’t resort to lies.

If you’ve made any mistakes, take accountability for them, and if you want your partner to realize something, express your concerns politely. Often, when we talk to someone, we fail to express our true feelings and emotions because we hesitate to speak up openly.

You have a lot to say, but you often can’t express everything, which leaves many things lingering in your heart. Therefore, my advice is whenever you speak openly, organize your points and make sure you express them fully. Also, make sure you listen to the other person’s perspective entirely and bridge the communication gap.

5. Communicate With Clarity

As discussed earlier, one main reason for having a communication gap in your relationship is the lack of clarity when you try to communicate. When we emphasize communicating with clarity, we essentially mean having:

• Clear Intentions: Your intentions should be clear about what you want to convey, and you should express those intentions precisely to your partner. You need to steer the entire conversation with the intent of your communication.
• Logical Talks: When having conversations, it’s important to be logical and practical rather than purely emotional. Emotions certainly play a role in bridging the communication gap, but if you want to find solutions to problems, you’ll need to think logically and consider the feasibility of implementing them practically.
• Active Listening: Don’t just speak yourself; allow your partner to speak as well, and actively listen to them. You’ll gain clarity when you listen to others and understand their perspectives. Listening and understanding are indeed the most crucial parts of any communication.
• Right Words: Choose the right words. Instead of beating around the bush, speak directly with the appropriate intent. Using the right words will ensure that your message reaches the other person clearly, and you won’t need to spend extra time explaining yourself.
• Transparency: Maintain a level of transparency in your communication. I’ll speak nothing but the truth, without hiding anything. The more transparent you are, the clearer your communication will be. Even if the truth is bitter, say it straightforwardly.
• Your Tone: Lastly, use a polite tone to communicate. No matter how you speak, a harsh tone will always have a negative impact. Using a polite tone will encourage the other person to listen to you and positively acknowledge your words.

6. Express Emotions and Feelings

Now, because this is a matter of a relationship, emotions and feelings play a crucial role here. To bridge that communication gap, you need to express your emotions and feelings completely. The other person should understand what you are going through and what you are feeling inside.

This is also an opportunity for you to allow your partner to let out everything that is hiding in their heart. Until you understand each other’s emotions, you cannot bridge the communication gap. Understand where the pain points lie and what steps can be taken to alleviate them. Both partners need to understand where mistakes have been made and what can be done to rectify them.

7. Keep Transparency

Maintaining transparency is crucial in bridging the communication gap in your relationship. Don’t lie or rely on falsehoods, and if you’ve ever told a lie for any reason, make sure to acquaint your partner with the truth, even if not immediately, eventually they need to know the truth. Sometimes, you should inform them yourself rather than them discovering it from elsewhere.

By keeping transparency in communication, you automatically gain your partner’s trust. Transparency reduces the possibility of misunderstandings and keeps the relationship healthy.

8. Listening & Paying Attention

When you don’t pay attention to detail, you often miss the minute details shared by your partner, which were important for you to understand. This ultimately becomes the starting point of communication gaps in any relationship.

It happens because many times we don’t take the words of others seriously and show little interest in listening, not realizing the importance of those conversations at the time. As a result, when matters escalate, we begin to understand the significance of those conversations. So, instead of just talking, it’s equally important to develop a habit of listening patiently and paying attention to the details of the conversation.

When you genuinely start listening to others, you expose yourself to insights that your limited perspective wouldn’t have shown you. Therefore, listening patiently will automatically reduce the communication gap in your relationship.

9. Delving into the Root Cause

Bridging the communication gap is not just about talking and listening to your partner; it’s about identifying the root cause to resolve the underlying problem. As long as you keep ignoring your partner’s problems, they will remain unresolved and may eventually escalate into a bigger issue, widening the communication gap between both of you. Therefore, it’s not just about hearing the problem; it’s about understanding it and making efforts to remediate it. Using multi-dimensional thinking, you need to consider the best possible alternatives to handle the situation and implement them according to mutual agreement.

10. Be Respectful

When you’re trying to bridge the communication gap in your relationship, it’s crucial to always be respectful to your partner. You’re initiating a conversation that seems to have come to a halt between both of you, and you can’t afford the risk of letting this gap widen further. Therefore, you must show courtesy and respect while talking, even if you feel they are at fault. Don’t try to punish them for their actions.

Conversations can only begin when you can present your thoughts respectfully, and in return, your partner should reciprocate that courtesy. If they don’t, there’s no need to continue the conversation at that time. Respect is everything in a relationship, so it’s simple: give respect, take respect, or else walk away.

Also Read: 15 Most Powerful Ways To Express Mutual Respect in Relationships

11. No Blame Game

When you’re trying to make an effort to bridge the communication gap, it’s crucial to understand that you don’t need to play the blame game. Your intention behind initiating the conversation is to reduce that gap, and if you start blaming each other, the gap will only widen.

Look, mistakes happen, and it’s possible that in your case, it’s clear who’s at fault. However, if you focus on problem-solving instead of playing the blame game, the communication gap can be bridged.

People don’t like being highlighted for their mistakes, which is why they resist acknowledging them. If you start highlighting their errors, they may retaliate by trying to highlight yours, initiating a blame game. So, instead of doing that, focus on the positive aspects and work to eliminate these anomalies.

12. Control Your Temper

Lastly, if you genuinely want to bridge that communication gap, you need to keep your anger in check. Your anger often becomes the root cause of many problems, and if you’re naturally short-tempered, you might get provoked easily.

You have to remain calm and composed, especially when discussing sensitive matters with your partner. They may try to provoke you, but you must not overreact at that moment. Even if you feel angry, you should pause the conversation rather than react in anger.

To bridge the communication gap, you need to earn your partner’s trust, and you can only do that by showing patience with your anger. They will undoubtedly test your patience and may expect you to react in the wrong way, but handling the situation maturely will earn their confidence and automatically help bridge the communication gap.

13. Use Alternative Channels for Bridging the Communication Gap

We discussed various methods of communication above, primarily focusing on verbal communication. However, if even after face-to-face conversations, proper communication isn’t occurring, it’s better to use an alternative medium to convey your feelings to your partner.

Use a medium where you can present your thoughts more effectively and ensure they reach your partner easily. This approach is beneficial for those who struggle to confidently express themselves face-to-face. Usually, using text messages, notes, or letters can help bridge the communication gap, but remember to choose a medium that is safe to use in your circumstances. While verbal communication is often preferred, in situations where it doesn’t work effectively, using alternative mediums can be quite helpful.

Build don’t break relationships with communication – connect the dots | Amy Scott | TEDxQueenstown

Conclusion

To Conclude, the communication gap has become a serious issue in relationships, leading to misunderstandings and differences between couples. While bridging this gap isn’t easy, genuine effort can make it achievable. In such cases, patience and dealing calmly and patiently are crucial because handling situations with anger can exacerbate matters.

It’s important to realize that when you have the opportunity, taking the first step and expressing your inner feelings and emotions clearly to your partner is vital. You need to devote time to them, understand their emotions, and strive to address problems at their root. Sincere efforts from your end are necessary, along with maintaining a high level of transparency between you both, so that the distances between you can be turned into closeness.