The going has gotten tough. In full transparency, we recorded this episode before the COVID-19 pandemic was a concern here in the U.S., but it certainly feels timely. Using effective communication strategies, supporting one another, and maintaining your rituals of connection are much easier when life is “normal.” Add some additional stressors (think: kids, a demanding job, or quarantine) and your skills are sure to be tested. When things around you are hard, it becomes even more important to remain a team. You’re in this together and could both use support and compassion. There are a few things to be exceptionally mindful of when trying to stay a team when the going gets tough: - Are you really listening to your partner? - Are you being open to their influence? - Are you honoring your individual needs with rest, recharge, and self-care (to the extent possible)? - Are you honoring the needs of your relationship with time to talk, rituals of connection, and patience? -Are you problem solving and making decisions jointly? In this week’s episode, we’re talking about why it becomes harder to remain a team when external stressors are high, the benefits of staying connected throughout these times, and practical strategies for making it happen.