Stress and fear are easier to bear when shared, and sometimes just opening up about difficult feelings can decrease their intensity.
Lies can take different forms. Erin Bryant, author of a small 2008 study looking at how college students separated white lies from other types of dishonesty, suggests lies can be divided into several categories.
Your approach can vary depending on exactly what feeling you’re attempting to navigate and whether they’re part of the issue or not.
Remember the old adage, “honesty is the best policy”? There’s a reason it’s stuck around. Lying (or omitting the truth) really doesn’t help anyone, including yourself.
You’re far from alone, if the global pandemic has triggered some stress. Many people around the world currently live with fear and anxiety, and your partner probably numbers among them, too.
You might joke about the apocalypse as the world begins to resemble the dystopian setting in your favorite movie or TV series, but generally speaking, fear isn’t comfortable.
The pandemic has disrupted life in countless ways. Many people around the world are dealing with grief over missed events, inability to interact with loved ones, and other pandemic-related changes and losses.
If your partner seems to brush off your emotional state or ignore your feelings entirely, you might feel a little angry.
Some people can manage distress while also offering support. Others might cope by helping loved ones cope. But if your partner needs to address their emotions first, you might end up feeling somewhat neglected.
Tensions at home might be running a little higher than usual, but that’s a pretty common outcome of crisis. You might be a little more inclined to pick at each other for little things, but try not to let the added stress strain your relationship.