Don’t Argue Semantics
I find myself saying this phrase multiple times a day, both in my work and in my own head while speaking to my husband. Don’t argue semantics. It is so easy and tempting to bicker over who said what and when. “No, I didn’t say that until you said that other thing first”. It feels important to win the argument and get the facts straight. But when you really think about it, what is your goal here? Is your goal to win or to resolve the conflict?
When you learn to remind yourself of the goal and refocus on what you are actually trying to accomplish, you will start to see a subtle shift in your relationship. It doesn’t matter what literally happened. What really matters is how both of you felt after a disagreement. Focus on that and move towards actual growth in your relationship.