Relationships are built on trust and communication. Conversations, whether they’re about an important conflict or just your day at work, are how you communicate with and listen to your partner.

In every relationship, validation plays an important role in building trust and emotional support. To be good partners, we should all want to make our loved ones feel seen, heard, and understood.

An emotionally distant partner can be difficult to connect with. Typically, they avoid intimate conversations, conflict, and acknowledging their own feelings.

If you’ve been feeling down about your relationship prospects because it seems like you’re getting into the same trouble again and again, it’s time to take a step back. By thinking carefully about yourself, what matters most to you, and what you want out of a relationship, you can start to break out of your destructive behaviors and find the right match.