A Hard Look at the Nuances of Relationship Dynamics

As long as people want to talk about love, they will also want to discuss how to make relationships work.

It’s a topic that comes with countless variations and end results. Yet, for all the ways people make the discussion of relationships interesting, there is a consistent subtext waiting in the wings; a topic within a topic that doesn’t always get touched upon.

That happens to be the discussion of relationship dynamics.

If you’re looking to make your relationship thrive, then you best learn all about the dynamics–both the good and the bad–that are present within it.

What are Relationship Dynamics?

To define it as simply as possible, relationship dynamics are behavioral patterns that affect their overall relationship. These patterns impact their interactions with each other, how they communicate, and how they resolve their issues.

On a broader scale, relationship dynamics aren’t just present in romantic partnerships. These are present in familial, platonic, and professional relationships, too. Each type comes with their own unique dynamics that people can rely on to predict how specific circumstances will play out.

What are the Hallmarks of Healthy Dynamics?

When two people have a healthy dynamic between them, it is easy to observe their mutual trust and respect. The lines of communication between them are often open, while containing the same trust and respect. It reaches the point where they are aware of each other’s love languages and actively use them on each other.

There’s also mutual levels of comfort, to the point where they can freely express their thoughts and feelings with each other. In turn, this leads to tremendous amounts of support for one another, which can get them through hardship without the risk of their relationship being torn apart.

How Do Unhealthy Dynamics Manifest?

Unhealthy dynamics within romantic relationships tend to manifest in three common ways. To prevent or resolve these dysfunctions, it pays to examine each one carefully:

Demanding and Withdrawing

This one is simple enough to describe: one partner demands something and the other avoids giving into the demand by withdrawing. Take for instance, a couple that argues over chores. One may demand the other to do the dishes, but is often met with avoidance.

Distancing and Pursuing

This dynamics involves one partner constantly chasing after the other, while that individual actively places distance between them. An example would be when a person initiates all the date planning while the other person remains passive or reliant on the former, contributing nothing in the end.

Fear and Shame

Unlike the previous two, this unhealthy dynamic does not have contrasting roles. It does, however, create similar end results. The individuals who use fear or shame to keep their partner in check may cause avoidance, withdrawal, and even aggression in the other.

Challenging these unhealthy dynamics involve tremendous efforts in improving communication, as well as the willingness to sacrifice and compromise whenever necessary. Change is difficult, but results only come through the consistent efforts of both partners.

Love, as desirable as it is, can be a tough game to play.

With so much hanging on our day-to-day behaviors and efforts, it certainly does pay to learn as much of the nuances of relationship dynamics as possible. Maybe then we all have a chance at winning the game of love.