Conversation check
- What do I actually want to say?
- What part is fact, and what part is assumption?
- What outcome would be enough?
Home / Relationships
Relationships
Most of what matters in life happens between people. This section looks at the ordinary skills of communicating clearly, holding limits kindly and staying close to those you love.
In this section
Five areas, each with guides, exercises and reading lists.
01
Communication
Saying what you mean, listening for what is meant, and handling the conversation you have been avoiding.
Read a repair story02
Boundaries
Limits are not walls. How to set them calmly, hold them consistently and recover when you wobble.
Read the article03
Friendship
Adult friendships need maintenance. Realistic ways to keep them going when life is full.
Open the story04
Family
Navigating long histories, different expectations and the people you did not choose.
Check your balance05
Relationships
Partnership as a daily practice: attention, repair and the unglamorous parts of closeness.
Practice a clear noBefore the next difficult conversation
Use these prompts before you speak, reply or repair. They keep the focus on clarity rather than winning.
Boundary script
Keep the sentence short enough to remember.
- I can't do X, but I can do Y.
- I'm not available for that.
- I need some time before I answer.
Friendship maintenance
- Who have I been meaning to contact?
- What is the smallest genuine message I can send?
- Do I need to repair, reconnect or simply check in?
Conflict pause
- What am I reacting to?
- What do I need clarified?
- What can wait until emotions settle?
Relationship attention check
- Who gets most of my attention?
- Who gets least?
- Is that what I actually want?
Latest reading
Reading, stories and tools for communication, boundaries and connection.
Keep going