Imagine falling in love with someone only to discover that their political opinions make your skin crawl.
Is this ared flag in your dating life?
Or another nightmare scenario: your long-term partner has switched to the political side that you abhor.
It may sound like the plot of a bad rom-com, but politically mismatched partnerships are far from fictitious.
If your relationship with your partner has been tested by political strife, you are not alone.
The survey also revealed that 11% of couples called it quits over their political differences.
Fortunately, love can still flourish if you and your partner don’t have the exact same political views.
A little bit of political discord can actually be great for your relationship.
According to Nicole Issa, respect is a key ingredient for happiness in a politically divided romance.
An expert atBustlesuggests that couples discuss their values and beliefs early in the relationship.
Your innermost values will tell you a lot about what you need in a romantic partner.
And remember, your relationship shouldn’t be all politics all the time.
Set boundaries around political discussions
Some people live for a good political spar.
If that’s the case, then you and your sweetie might genuinely enjoy your politically mismatched partnership.
Additionally, you don’t have to address political conflict the moment that it bubbles up.
Instead, schedule a time to hash it out later.
This will give both of you the chance to clear your minds and get relaxed for the conversation ahead.
Therefore, calling a timeout is a great way to diffuse an argument before it gets too heated.
I need like 10 minutes to calm down.
I love you, I’m not going anywhere.'"
The conversation can resume after a quick cool-down period.
According toVery Well Mind, good communication has endless advantages for your love life.
If your political differences are reaching destructive levels, you might’t afford to let the bad vibes pile up.
Be thoughtful about how and when you engage in political talk.
If your conversations begin with hostility, you probably won’t resolve anything.
Be sure that your tone is more gentle and less demanding.
Approach your partner with respect and curiosity, rather than judgment, perNPR.
When emotions run high as they often do with politics turning the conversation around is no easy task.
Fortunately, good communication becomes easier the more you practice it; so, communicate often.
In fact, you might start simply bybuilding your listening skills.
Nonverbal cues also let your partner know that you’re listening and validating their opinions.
“What typically happens is that [partners] take a defensive position,” Selinger toldBetter.
They make it a win-lose situation.
If your other half outright disrespects your political views, speak up.
It’s especially awkward when your partner is the one doling out those political hot takes.
After all, we all know that social media is where civil discussion goes to die.
But as expert Leslie Shore explained toBrides, this punch in of reaction could be disastrous for your relationship.
Shore advises, “Keep your personal conversations personal.
There is no need to take your private life public.”
Or you might find you don’t need to respond at all.
Mindfulness has numerous benefits, and it can do wonders for your communication.
When political conflicts arise, mindfulness can help you stay calm, non-judgemental, and open-minded.
Practicing some simple, mindful tricks can help you listen and communicate more effectively during politically charged moments.
Marriage and family therapist Linda Graham incorporates mindfulness into her couples therapy practice.
If you’ve had your fill of political strife, you might considertrying couples therapy.
There’s absolutely no shame in taking your problems to a professional.
For some politically polarized couples, therapy can be a godsend.
A therapist will help you and your partner share your ideas and opinions in the healthiest way possible.
Usually, there’s a web of emotions and assumptions that underlie a couple’s political conflict.
As Faith Dulin explained toShe Knows, “Political disagreements can feel incredibly painful.
If our partner has different or opposing views, we tend to take it personally and feel misunderstood.”
But a great therapist can help you work through those emotional roadblocks.
‘Why do you feel that way?’
or ‘Why is this issue important to you?'"
Both of you deserve to have a future that mirrors your values and goals.
According to psychotherapist JaNae Taylor, respect is the best policy when dealing with a breakup.
Because of that, I think it’s best if we go our separate ways.'"
Just like voting, dating gives us the power to make life-changing choices.
Whatever you choose in relation to your love life, remember that a bright future awaits you.
