A common mistake in relationships is assuming your partner fully understands who you are. We expect them to know what we want in life, what we need from them, and to understand our goals. After all, we’ve talked about these things before. They should know by now, right? Unfortunately, these assumptions can lead to problems. To prevent relationship drama, take the time to learn who your partner really is.

No matter how much you love someone or how “in sync” you feel, one truth remains: your partner isn’t you. No matter how close a couple is, your partner can’t completely understand you all the time. Recognizing this is key to avoiding drama in relationships. Those who understand this can navigate relationships much more smoothly by doing these three things:

1. They Are Open to Addressing Concerns

Many people in relationships mistakenly believe that to avoid “relationship drama,” they need to keep any negative feelings or concerns to themselves.  This actually has an adverse effect on relationships, often blowing up down the line and becoming a far greater problem than it ever needed to be.

If you want to know how to avoid drama in relationships, you need to be comfortable in expressing any concerns you may have in an open and communicative manner. This means:

• Speaking calmly
• Being accepting of your partner’s ideas or concerns
• Maintaining eye contact
• Communicating without judgment

2. They Share Their Needs

Many couples report feeling neglected and unfulfilled in their relationships, which can lead to the dreaded drama that often accompanies relationships.  Knowing how to avoid drama in relationships means knowing how to express your needs. All too often, we believe that our partners should “know” or “understand” what we need, when in reality, they have no idea how they can help, or that there’s even a problem at all.

Take the time to sit down with your partner and talk about what you need to feel happy and fulfilled in the relationship or in life in general. It’s not always easy, but not taking the time to share what your needs are will lead to resentment and can cause permanent and irreparable damage to your relationship.

3. They Create “Win-Win” Compromises

There’s a misconception that compromising means losing something. In reality, it’s the opposite. Compromise in a relationship should feel like a gain, not a sacrifice. You should feel good about what you’re both gaining. To avoid drama in relationships, create “win-win” situations. This means combining your goals and wants with your partner’s. Work together to brainstorm a solution that leaves both of you satisfied.

Prevent Relationship Drama

You don’t have to prevent relationship drama on your own. Seeking help from a professional relationship coach can help you identify the source of your troubles. I work with couples at all stages of their relationship to find peace.