Relationships

Relationships rarely fall apart because of one big argument. More often, it’s the small moments that happen over and over again: the way we respond when we feel hurt, the way we defend ourselves when we feel criticised, the way we shut down when things feel too overwhelming. Over time, these patterns can create emotional distance, resentment, and a feeling of “we’re on opposite teams.” Relationship researcher Dr John Gottman identified four communication patterns that are par