Have Life Changing Interactions for Healthier Relationships

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Hello you!

Yes, you. We see you, we hear you, and we want to talk about something important: the way we communicate.

Learning to relate to others in a healthier way can be transformative. Communication from the heart is like medicine, not just for us, but for everyone we interact with. We have more power to shape communication systems than we realize.

For many, the upcoming holiday season means spending time with family and friends—some we haven’t seen in a while, or even living under the same roof as people we haven’t been around for months. This can bring up old emotions or remind us how things have changed (or haven’t). Holiday gatherings can be filled with expectation, obligation, and sometimes defensiveness, which leads to frustration—even when we willingly enter the space. So it’s a great time to check in with how we may approach things differently this time…

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a method that focuses on empathetic listening, expressing feelings and needs honestly, and making clear, respectful requests to foster connection and understanding.  The core of NVC is learning to “mine” for feelings and needs, discovering what’s really being communicated beneath the words. Often, we miss the true meaning beyond someone’s words; we don’t actively listen and take in all of the information being shared with us, more on this later. It’s not always easy, but with practice, it can radically change how we relate to others. When we communicate from the heart, we open the door to deeper connection, empathy, and understanding.

Universal Needs

It can be hard to know what it is we actually are feeling or what we do need and sometimes it takes for someone else to point this out or ask us in order for us to be able to recognize them. The most common needs which humans express (above the basic needs for safety and comfort) are those for love, connection and belonging, to have autonomy & choice, for appreciation & recognition.  How many of these needs resonate with you?

I’m guessing all or most of them; they are universal, which is why by finding which need or needs are not being met in another person, we can find our common, universal understanding and love for each other. Sounds fairly simple right? This is life changing stuff and we want to help offer some ways to integrate this into your relationships, from right now.

What is Heart-Centered Communication?

Heart-centered communication is about much more than exchanging information. It’s about connecting to the emotions and intentions behind the words. Compassion is the cornerstone of heart-centered communication, putting yourself in the shoes of the person speaking to you. To do this effectively, we need to be truly present. This means focusing on the person speaking—not checking your phone or thinking about an example from your own life which is the same/worse or that you’ve got just the thing to help…

Listening isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about observing the body language, tone, and pauses, rephrasing. Notice the sighs, the body posture, and the unspoken words, even the time chosen for the conversation or the moment something is shared. When someone places a hand on their chest, takes a deep breath, or looks away, these gestures can give us clues to what’s going on inside.

Sometimes, conversations trigger feelings of anxiety, defensiveness, or frustration, which can make us want to argue or correct. But when we approach conversations with curiosity and care, we shift from a mindset of “winning” the conversation to one of building understanding. It’s about looking for common ground and realizing that beneath every surface-level difference, we share universal needs and have more in common than we realise. 

Remember: Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust, understanding, and connection. Just like building a castle, every small heartfelt interaction is a brick in building a strong, lasting connection.

Navigating Challenging Conversations

When we’re with family, especially during the holidays, old dynamics and past experiences can resurface. Sometimes, we bring preconceived notions into conversations, like thinking “they’ll never change” or “this will always be the same.” But just as we grow and change, so does everyone else.

Here’s an example of how you can express yourself in a way that invites understanding:

“Last holiday, I noticed we spent a lot of time discussing politics and past family issues, which made me feel overwhelmed and anxious. I value our family time and need to feel safe and relaxed to truly enjoy it. This year, can we focus on positive stories and things we’re grateful for more? I think this will help everyone feel more relaxed and make our time together more enjoyable.”

This example shows how to express your feelings, needs, and requests clearly, fostering better communication. We know, in practice this is not going to be as simple as saying one phrase and all is well, but you’re showing up with care and willingness to be open, which is amazing. Bre guides you through a short meditation here to Feel Grounded & Confident, so you can get into the headspace before trying it out.

Here’s our eleven key tips for better communication.