A partner may genuinely be concerned about you but has a poor way of relaying the message. There can also be criticism that aims to destroy a person’s self-confidence.
Now that you have heard your partner’s thoughts, it’s time to start the process of handling criticism. If the criticism is clear enough, then you can already skip this.
Criticism in relationships can hurt, but sometimes, it also has a point. Remember that criticism itself is not about you as a person but only a part of your behavior.
Now, once your partner starts explaining their side, take criticism without getting defensive. It’s hard, but you need to pull yourself together and be calm.
How to deal with someone who criticizes you as a person? Start by stating facts to make things clear. Here is a scenario that can help you understand this point better.
Criticism in relationships is normal, but if you get defensive at the start of the criticism, your partner might not understand where you are coming from.
Don’t hesitate to take some time off. It’s normal to be hurt and confused when you receive criticism. So, instead of nagging your partner, it’s better to just cool down.
Did you know that it’s possible to turn a hurtful criticism into a request? Here’s how to take criticism and turn it into a request. Support and help your partner to convert their criticisms into a polite request. Here’s an example.