What Is Stonewalling And How To Spot It In Your Dating Life
Dating can be a mashup of highs and lows while you figure out what works and what doesn't for you.
When you find yourself in somewhat of a committed relationship, the next step is trying to decide whether it's worth taking things to the next level. There are certain toxic behaviors to watch out for, and stonewalling is one of them.
Stonewalling Is Actually A Common Occurrence In Relationships
Even if you have never heard the term "stonewalling" used when talking about relationships, there is a good chance that you have experienced it in real life.
Stonewalling is actually a fairly common occurrence in many relationships.
There Are Certain Signs To Watch Out For
Since most people are unaware of exactly what "stonewalling" is, they often don't notice how it affects them in their day-to-day lives.
There are some signs to watch out for to help identify if you're experiencing it in your own relationship.
It Is A Term Used By Relationship Experts And Psychologists
Stonewalling is a term used by psychologists and therapists to describe the behavior of a person who refuses to communicate.
It most often describes personal relationships and a partner's unwillingness to resolve a conflict by communicating.
It Makes Communication Impossible
If you have ever been completely shut down by your partner in the middle of an argument, you may have experienced stonewalling to some degree.
The problem with this behavior is that the refusal to communicate makes it nearly impossible to reach any kind of solution.
It's A Hard Behavior To Identify At First
A person who shuts down and isolates instead of having a rational discussion can make it difficult to reach any resolution, no matter how big or small the disagreement is.
This behavior is a red flag that doesn't always reveal itself early in a relationship but is important to watch for.
It Is A Form Of Manipulation
Stonewalling is definitely a form of manipulation in a relationship.
If your partner absolutely refuses to listen to your perspective and tries to invalidate your opinions by ignoring them, they are cutting you off before you can convince them that they may be in the wrong.
They Will Stonewall You Until The Situation Diffuses Or You Forget About It
When you attempt to communicate with your partner and they stonewall you until the situation eventually diffuses, in their mind, they have won the argument.
Evading the conversation is equal to "being right" in their mind and they can move on, leaving you frustrated.
They May Be Trying To Avoid Certain Truths Being Revealed
Another reason your partner may be stonewalling you during discussions is that they are trying to end the conversation before an ugly truth comes to light.
Not talking about tough topics means that there is no chance of having to answer for past mistakes or toxic behaviors. But just because you don't discuss them doesn't mean they don't exist.
You Start To Feel Powerless In The Relationship
Being stonewalled can make you feel powerless in your relationship. Over time, losing your voice and control in the relationship becomes a pattern that is hard to break.
It forces you to brush off problems you have with your partner instead of addressing them, meaning they never really go away.
You Are Putting Your Own Mental Health At Risk By Bottling Up Emotions
When you suppress your feelings and emotions to accommodate a partner who shuts down, you are putting your own mental health at risk.
Bottling up feelings and anger can lead to resentment and an inevitable explosion of emotion down the line.
Stonewalling Is An Immature Response To Healthy Disagreements
Stonewalling is an immature response to the regular conflict that happens in intimate relationships.
No relationship is perfect and they take a little bit of work to stay healthy. Mature adults are willing to engage in the harder conversations with their partners knowing that the end result will be worth the work.
Stonewalling Prevents You From Being Able To Grow As A Couple
Stonewalling behavior can dismantle a relationship quicker than you might expect because it leaves couples trapped in one spot.
It becomes impossible to move forward and grow together when you're hung up on unresolved issues and always considering the past.
You Need To Address The Problem Before It's Too Late
If you're worried that your partner is stonewalling you toward a breakup, it's important to let them know before it's too late.
Tell them that the behavior is damaging to your relationship and that communication needs to be a key component moving forward.
