I hope my answer can be of some help to you.
You have expressed that you are experiencing challenges in your relationships. It seems that there are differing views and approaches between the two individuals, which can lead to confusion. You have also been advised not to make excuses for mistakes and to accept responsibility for your actions. This can be difficult when there are differences in values and perspectives. It's natural to feel uncertain in such situations. Is this approach, this way of thinking, right or wrong? Or is it just you?
I believe that each of us will have a different perspective and approach to the same thing because we have different upbringings, genetic makeup, educational backgrounds, and living environments. It is therefore very normal to have different opinions. In fact, there is no black and white in many things; there are just different perspectives and needs. This can sometimes lead to conflicts and contradictions.
When there are conflicts and contradictions in a relationship, it's important to communicate. The purpose of communication is not to prove who is right and who is wrong. Instead, it's a way to understand each other better through conflicts and contradictions. It can also help to promote the development of the relationship and to grow in the relationship. When we are in a relationship, it's helpful to take responsibility for our role in it. When we are alone, we can be ourselves, which can help us to be more harmonious.
If I might offer you a suggestion, it would be this:
Life can be challenging for everyone, and we all have different needs and circumstances. It's important to recognize that we don't always have to assume what others are thinking or feeling. We can respect each other's differences and avoid forcing our views on others.
There is a story about a pig, a sheep, and a cow that were all kept in the same pen. One day, the shepherd caught the pig, and it howled loudly and resisted fiercely.
The sheep and the cow expressed their dislike of his howling, noting that while they were often caught, they never cried out like he did. The little pig replied, "I believe that catching you and catching me are two very different things."
If I may make a suggestion, I believe that catching you is simply to get your fur and milk, whereas catching me is to take my life.
It is often the case that we do not fully comprehend the feelings of others due to differing perspectives and circumstances. For instance, an elderly woman may simply express concern for her daughter-in-law's health, yet from the daughter-in-law's perspective, she may perceive her mother-in-law as overly controlling, even to the extent of monitoring her exercise regimen. Similarly, a boss may encourage employees to work overtime and exert more effort to enhance company performance, whereas an employee may hope for financial compensation for the same level of work. In another example, a husband may desire his wife to be more understanding and appreciative of him, while the wife may wish for her husband to demonstrate greater care and value her contributions.
From everyone's perspective, there is nothing inherently wrong with it. However, it's important to recognize that everyone's needs are different. Different experiences have shaped different individuals. Some may have faced challenges or even abuse during their childhood, which could have led to feelings of frustration or anxiety. It's not always easy to be resilient in the face of these challenges. On the other hand, some may have had supportive and nurturing childhoods, which could have instilled a sense of inner security and positivity in them. It's not accurate to say that they are blindly optimistic.
Everyone has their own unique perspective and opinions, shaped by their individual upbringing. From their point of view, they are convinced, and it can be challenging for us to change their opinions.
Perhaps what we should focus on is communicating effectively, rather than arguing about right and wrong.
2. A truly good relationship is not one where everyone thinks the same way, but one where different opinions can coexist harmoniously.
Existential therapy master Irwin Yaron and his wife Marilyn have different preferences and ways of doing things, but they have been together for more than 60 years and have learned to understand and support each other. They each get one month of annual leave each year. Marilyn likes to go to France, and Yaron likes to go to the islands, so they spend half the month in France and half the month on vacation.
They are always able to tolerate and understand each other, and when problems arise, they discuss ways to resolve them that are mutually beneficial.
When we can understand each other's behavior from each other's perspective and treat each other as an independent individual rather than an object that serves us, we can accept each other instead of being dissatisfied.
My husband enjoys playing mahjong with friends in the evenings. In the past, I found this difficult to understand, and I asked him on several occasions to come home early, but he was reluctant to change his habits. He explained that playing mahjong helps him relax after a day's work and that it gives him a sense of joy.
When I consider things from his perspective, I can appreciate the challenges he faces. It's also important to recognize that we can't force someone to change if they're not ready to do so. Instead, we can adjust our expectations and approach things in a more flexible manner.
I came to realize that it wasn't helpful to try to force him to do things my way. Instead, I tried to respect his needs. When he was away, I made time for the things I liked, and when he was here, we shared happy times together. This made my husband more relaxed when he went to play mahjong. He also took my needs into consideration and wouldn't come home too late. If I really had something urgent, he would cancel the mahjong appointment to help me solve the problem.
3. It is possible to enhance mutual understanding and promote the harmonious development of our relationship through effective communication.
You might find it helpful to watch "Nonviolent Communication" and "Crucial Conversations." They offer some valuable insights. When conflicts and disagreements arise in our relationships, it's natural. At this time, it's important to focus on expressing your feelings and needs, as well as specific requests to the other person, rather than judging right or wrong.
Expressions of mutual and sincere connection will deepen your bond with each other.
For instance, my husband used to bring guests home for dinner without prior notice. I must admit that I am not particularly fond of cooking, and I often feel overwhelmed and tired when I am in that situation. I therefore suggested to him that we could perhaps find a more suitable time when we were both in a more relaxed mood. I told him that I felt overwhelmed, a little uncomfortable, a little angry, and tired every time he brought guests home for dinner without telling me in advance. I also told him that I had to spend a lot of time washing the dishes, which left me with no time to do what I wanted to do.
"In the future, if you need to bring guests back for dinner, you can let me know first, and I can consider my current situation with you. We can decide together whether you can bring guests back, okay?"
My husband said that he thought I liked him to bring guests back for dinner and didn't realize that I would dislike it so much.
After that, whenever he wanted to bring guests back home, he would seek my consent first, and we were able to resolve any remaining issues amicably.
4. When alone, we are simply ourselves. When with others, we are our role.
If we find ourselves thinking about others when we are alone, we may find ourselves falling into the role system. Similarly, when we are with others and ignore them, we may fall into ourselves. It is therefore important to remember that when we are alone, the self is greater than the role. When we are together, the role is greater than the self, so that we can maintain normal role interactions and feel at ease in interpersonal relationships.
In other words, when you get along with your boss, you are in the role of an employee, so it is important to do what an employee needs to do. Similarly, when you are teaching at school, you are in the role of a teacher, but in front of your husband, you are a wife. It is not always easy to use the role of a teacher to get along with our husband, as there may be role conflict. When you are getting along with your children, you are in the role of a father or mother, not a boss or doctor.
When you can clarify your role in a relationship, know what role system you are in at the moment, and who you are in that role system at that moment, you will know what you need to do and what you cannot do at that moment. Of course, you can also satisfy yourself through your role. You can choose your role. For example, if I like psychological work and like to learn and grow, I choose to work as a psychological counselor and satisfy my needs through the role of a psychological counselor.
If you would like to gain a deeper and more thorough understanding of this, you may find it helpful to read the article "Understanding 'Who I Am': Interpersonal Relationships Like a Fish in Water," which was written by our platform teacher, Wang Xiaonv.
Please feel free to use this as a reference.
Wishing you the best!
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling confused in a relationship when you and your partner see things differently. It's tough because it feels like every choice you make is being judged, and you're not sure if it's about the choices or just a clash of personalities.
It sounds like you're really trying to understand where you stand in this situation. It's important to recognize that having different views isn't necessarily a bad thing, but how you handle those differences can make all the difference in a relationship.
I feel for you, it's so hard when you're told not to make excuses for mistakes. But maybe it's also about finding a balance between acknowledging your part and respecting that you both bring unique perspectives to the table.
It's challenging when someone dismisses your point of view as an excuse. I think it's worth considering whether the issue is about right or wrong, or if it's more about understanding each other's perspectives and finding common ground.
I get that it's confusing when you're questioning your own actions and thoughts. Maybe it's time to reflect on what you value in a relationship and discuss with your partner how you can align your approaches without losing yourselves in the process.