How Can We Make Relationships the Heart of Schools?
Ask any educator today, and they’ll tell you that relationships across the board are strained in schools. Our educational landscape is rife with sociopolitical pressures: political polarization, disagreements over the teaching of race and LGBTQ+ rights that lead to restrictions on addressing particular topics, curriculum debates and questions about the effectiveness of inclusive education that […]
How to Improve Emotional Intelligence — the Skill Behind It Is Emotional Literacy How to Improve Emotional Intelligence (the Gottman Way)
Most advice on how to improve Emotional intelligence starts by telling you to be more empathetic, more self-aware, more regulated — worthy goals, but hard to act on directly. There is an earlier, more practical skill underneath all of them, and there is a name for it: emotional literacy. It is the ability to notice […]
How I Lost Myself in a Controlling Friendship and What I Know Now
“The most common form of despair is not being who you are.” ~Søren Kierkegaard I didn’t lose her all at once. I lost myself first—slowly, quietly, in the way that only happens when someone you trust makes you doubt everything you think and feel. She was magnetic when I met her. Warm, intense, the kind […]
Too Needy in Relationships | The Gottman Institute
Have you ever been told, “You’re too needy”? It usually doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s you trying to talk about something that felt off and hearing, “Why are you making this such a big deal?” And suddenly, you’re not talking about the issue anymore. You’re wondering if you’re the problem. Being told you’re “too […]
Navigating Perimenopause Together – How to Strengthen Your Relationship in Midlife
What to Expect in Midlife Perimenopause symptoms that signal the beginning of the menopause transition for women happen a lot earlier than many of us expect and not the way we often anticipate. The average age of menopause (the day after a woman has gone a full year without her period) is 51. Everyday after […]
10 Communication Exercises for Couples to Have Better Relationships
Brief Overview Communication is the heartbeat of any relationship, yet is often elusive amidst life’s hustle. By recognizing barriers—like different communication styles and the impact of Mental health—couples can begin to transform misunderstandings with empathy. Exercises such as active listening and expressing needs clearly foster deeper connections. Structuring safe spaces for dialogue and exploring interactive […]
How Couples Overcome Issues in Relationships
Solving Relationship Communication Problems: How Couples Overcome Issues in Relationships We all know that feeling when communication in our relationship seems more like a battleground than a bonding experience. It can be tough, but you’re not alone. Many couples face communication issues that leave them feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and stuck in frustrating patterns. Gottman research […]
Should I Stay or Should I Go? When Is the Right Time to Seek Divorce
Why Do Couples Divorce? Soft vs. Hard Reasons There are several commonly reported contributors to divorce. Research reported in the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage distinguishes between “soft” reasons – not being able to talk to each other, high levels of conflict and arguing, feeling lonely within the relationship – and ‘“hard” reasons such as […]
Why Get Married Today? 8 Reasons to Say ‘I Do’
You know that moment when you’re scrolling through social media and see another engagement announcement, and you find yourself wondering: Is marriage still worth it? Maybe you’re deeply in love with your partner but questioning whether a wedding ring really changes anything. Or perhaps friends and family keep asking when you’re getting married, and you’re […]
Building a Partnership That Lasts
Maybe you’ve been together for months, or even years, but something feels uncertain. You love each other—that much you know—but love alone doesn’t guarantee a successful relationship. The truth is, the strongest partnerships don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, care, and yes—a plan. So many couples drift through their relationships hoping things will […]