What Would You Do: Talk of Expectations & Disappointments
June 4, 2007 by Sasha Manuel
Filed under Relationships
One of the things that every couple goes through is unmet expectations, either said or unsaid. Somehow, you’d reach a point in the relationship when you simply have had enough of ‘talking’. You’d accuse your partner of inconsideration and insensitivity or demanding too much or being too irrational. Either way, this sort of situation is — unfair.
How do you go about resolving something that has reached an awkward “deal-breaking” moment? One claims to have had talked about the issue too much and the other wants to go back to the beginning and start over by sorting out the expectations of each partner, simply to avoid future disappointments and confusion.
Do you really have to compromise or draw the line? Do you come up with a conclusion that there will be no other direction for the relationship to go but downhill? Do you break things off and save yourself the trouble of more tears and heartache from all the disappointments?
Or do you simply hold on and keep giving your partner the opportunity to redeem himself or herself? What would you do?
Thought-provoking post. I think it depends on if you really want to stay together. Sometimes, you’ve just got to quit talking and be willing to just move on (from the topic, not the person).
I guess you’re right, Debbie. The couple should really decide whether they still want to stay together, esp going into a conversation like that. It’s hard to involve yourself in an argument that the opposing sides differ in their intentions. It’ll be some form of futile attempt at tug-o-war wherein nobody wins and everyone loses.