subject: My Husband Stopped Talking to Me – How to Open the Lines of Communication Again [print this page] My Husband Stopped Talking to Me How to Open the Lines of Communication Again
"My husband stopped talking to me about his feelings." That's one sad statement that many married women find themselves saying. In the best of circumstances most men aren't that willing to share what they're feeling and that's already somewhat frustrating. When the man you married shuts down completely it leaves you feeling very lost and alone. Not knowing what's going on in his heart is worrisome. You have no idea whether he still loves and desires you or if he's contemplating a divorce. If you're tired of living this way, you need to take the necessary steps to change it starting now.
If your husband doesn't like to talk to you about what he's feeling, you have to determine why that is. First, take note of whether it's been an ongoing issue or whether it's something that has happened the past few months or years. Sometimes a man will withdraw from his wife once the marriage finds its stride. He no longer feels it's necessary to talk about what he's feeling because the couple is comfortably married and committed to one another. You, on the other hand, long for the days when he would tell you how much he adored you, along with every other small thing he was experiencing.
Explain to him that you appreciate when he does share his feelings with you. Be positive about it without pushing too much. Also, don't be afraid of telling him what you feel for him. Once he hears it from you he may realize that he's not sharing as much as he should be.
Another common reason why men sometimes shut down verbally is they just want to avoid the conflict that often accompanies those type of discussions. If you take offense easily and break down when he's trying to explain what is making him unhappy, he'll eventually stop communicating about it. Encourage him to talk with the understanding that you're going to place your feelings aside while he shares with you. If you can do this and show him that you're strong enough to handle whatever he tells you, he'll be much more willing to really open up.
As always, the small gestures in a marriage can really make a world of difference. Even just talking to him more often about his own life can help him feel more connected verbally to you. Ask him direct questions about work and his interests. He'll feel valued and appreciated. That could very well be the missing puzzle piece that connects the two of you again.
