Relationships come and go, but what happens when a very important relationship takes a major hit? The very person you confided in about everything may now be on the other side of the spectrum.
Unfortunately, society has started to grow the habit of making everything accessible to us, and yet disposable to us at the same time. We often now think, “if I came across a good friend that time, I can come across another, easy.” However, it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes the friendship or relationship is actually worth working it out.
Need to mend some fences? Check out these 6 Steps To Mending Broken Relationships
Reach out. If you haven’t spoken to the person in quite some time, be the first to open the line of communication. If you’re even reading this, then you must want to make it work. Be the bigger person and take that first step.
Confront the problem. It doesn’t help anyone or the situation when we simply sit around and rehash the events that led up to a broken relationship. Yes, gossip may make you feel better temporarily, but in the long run, what went down will eventually get to you. Go straight to the source. Confront the issue and talk it out from the start.
Don’t let weeks go past and or even years, because if you do, you’ll start to forget why you even fell out with the person in the first place. And then you’ll forget what part you played in it, thus the initial issue will never get fixed.
Self-Evaluate. Once you have gotten down to the root of the cause, take a moment to take it all in. Self-evaluate before you try to blame judgment on the other. Truly try to see the situation from their point of view.
Take ownership. When it comes to mending a relationship worth fighting for, there is no right or wrong. There is only room for understanding. Take ownership of the things you said, how you said it, and why you said them. Each one of you is sure to have a valid point, so take ownership of your part in it all.
Come to a mutual agreement. Once you both get out what you think and feel about the situation, figure out how to move forward. Ask them what they need from you in order to make it work and tell them what you mutually expect from them as well. You guys have to come up with an action plan to start making progress for the better.
Start on a new chapter together. Many times, we can walk away still feeling some sort of way about the past situation that started it all. Once you’ve both come to a mutual agreement to end the standoff, then you both have to start on a new clean slate with each other. Let the past be the past, and look forward to making new memories together.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.