
Dealing with Doubt In Relationships.
Phaytea’s Pulse is participating in the A to Z Challenge for April 2018. The Theme is ‘Building and Sustaining a Meaningful Relationship’ and ‘Dealing with Doubt in Relationships’ is our entry for letter D. This challenge will run for 26 days in April except Sundays. Please stop by the blog daily for subsequent posts as we read the letters of the alphabet together. Enjoy.
I always wonder what goes on in the mind of a bride or groom-to-be when it’s close to the wedding day and they talk about having cold feet. Not to discredit how they feel at that moment, but I almost always pray out loud that it is just them feeling nervous and it has nothing to do with Doubt. If anything, days to the wedding is a dire period to talk about having doubts.
If you have been in a position where you had to advice a friend who is having doubts concerning a relationship he/she is in, you will know that it is difficult for you to talk about just as it for the party involved.
Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction and dealing with doubt in a relationship can be nerve racking. It simply makes you feel tensed and worried over an issue. It is even worse when you do not talk about the issue you are uneasy about.
Doubts keeps you emotionally unstable and this situation does not allow you be at your best/give your best in a relationship.
Having doubts in a Relationship is not abnormal as most relationships start off that way. You decide to be friends without knowing 100% about a person, you have your doubts, you discuss them and gradually you get a clearer picture of what this ‘potential partner’ is about.
This does not mean all your doubts are cleared at once. Issues will come up that might make you have doubts, but you shoukd talk about them just to get a clear picture. Life is a risk and so are most relationships we go into. Doubts can be cleared to an acceptable extent and both party can put in effort to show commitment.
Being committed confirms you have a conviction and that is what urges you to start a relationship anyway, but what happens when you are deep into a relationship then you start having doubts again?
It is important to have a relationship where trust is not shaky. In a case whereby trust is absent, the most irrelevant things can trigger doubt. A relationship based of constant suspicion, intentional distrust, worry, unsettled disputes and unfulfilled expectations can definitely nit thrive. Individuals react differently in relationships but here are some general reasons why one can have doubts:
- Sudden change in routine.
- Little acts that you think do not add up.
- Constantly making up excuses for your partner.
- Change in behaviour
- Lack of attention or less of it.
Dealing With Doubt
Unless we are conscious about our thought process, it might be difficult to fight off vague thoughts that could make us have doubts about our relationship.
- Do not try to suppress your thoughts. – A lot of people want to be the perfect partner and then consciously avoid glaring signs. This is not the right way to handle doubt. Think about it but not aggressively especially if you only have speculations.
- Make a list of things you have doubts about – Thinking about your doubts might open doors to more signs and taking in so much unpleasant information is not healthy. You can write them down so that at presentation, you sound precise. When it is written down, you can clearly evaluate the issue at hand and monitor what deserves a reaction and what doesn’t.
- If it is uncomfortable for You, then you should talk about it – Will this thought always affect your happiness in the long run? How long can you hold in your doubts? Your happiness should always be paramount and this is why you must never ignore or suppress your feelings. If you feel bad about something, plan to talk about it. Going about wearing a grudge never helps a relationship. A common mistake is expecting your partner to know what is wrong, make it easy for ‘you’ by actually talking about your doubts. Talk to your partner, talk to a counsellor or a trusted friend.
- Can the issues be solved easily? Is anyone willing to change? Doubts are just doubts until you consciously make an effort to clear the air. Try to reach a consensus regarding the issue on ground. Who should make the changes, will there be a compromise, will there be a system for accountability? Avoid being defensive and listen to understand.
Related: Common Communication Errors That Can Hurt Your Relationship
What is your deal breaker?
Doubts do not only affect romantic relationships. Relationship between friends, family, colleagues etc are also plagued with doubt but the gravity of the issue at hand mostly determines how it is dealt with.
The pointers above can suffice but never sweep your doubts under the carpet. Talk about them and clear the air. It is important for your mental health and peace of mind.
Share you thoughts
What do you do when doubts creep in?
What is your deal breaker?
I will love to read from you


19 Comments
Jasmin N
When doubts creep in, I open up & share my feelings. It usually is solved by letting other people know how I’m feeling, sharing the experiences & talking about them ?
Phaytea
This definitely works… especially if you talk with someone who really understands
Danie
First of all the advice that if you are uncomfortable you should talk about it is so true. People are so concerned with not letting others down they let themselves down by getting into bad situations. If I have doubts I seek advice from people who only want the best for me. That makes me feel better
Phaytea
yes to this –> ‘ talk to people who only want the best for you’
helenevlacho
Doubts will be present in any relationship but I think when trust has been there before any doubts, things can be much easier. We only need to talk about them before we destroy any relationship.
Dreamer Achiever
Like with other issues in any relationship talking and communicating honestly and openly is the key in my opinion. I’ve been lucky to have a great partner with whom it’s easy to talk and thus we don’t usually have any bigger doubts or other issues. ?
Beth Berger
I’ll echo the thoughts of the ladies above — communication is KEY to keeping doubts from creeping in. When in doubt, talk it out!!
Nazrin Miah
I feel like communication is the most important factor here. If you have heavy feelings in your heart about anything in regards to your partner or your relationship then they must be spoken about. This would then result into finding a solutions to driving these thoughts away!
http://www.nmdiaries.com
NicoleShillings
Doubt is present in all relationships at one time or another. It can be a really scary thing to go through. This is all really good advice on how to manage it. Thanks!
Ritu
I’ve always been one to speak up when doubt creeps in, and it is only natural… we naturally have suspicious minds, it’s a survival technique I guess, protecting yourself before you get hurt.
But if doubt is there constantly, then that is a true worry…
Phaytea
I agree… If its constant, them there is something wrong
Ritu
Definitely!!!!
Ritu
Did my comment disappear?
Phaytea
hi hi… I just dug it out of the spam folder
Ritu
Ha! Thanks!!!
LaurenEph
Excellent advice. It’s important to let those doubts out of your head and express them for your mental health as well as good relationship health!
Phaytea
Thank you Lauren
Suzanne [globalhousesitterX2]
Good communication in any relationship is the key for longevity. Best to deal with any doubts and if needed move on.
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