Give your partner the Benefit of the Doubt

If you want more intimacy, give your partner the Benefit of the Doubt.

Giving our partners the benefit of the doubt means to assume positive intentions and motives rather than negative ones. Rather than applying negative stories and meanings to our partner’s behavior, we make positive assumptions about each other.

So why is this so helpful?

  1. Offering our partners the benefit of the doubt creates a resilience in the relationship so that we are less likely to hang onto negative experiences overall, and we can tolerate them with more ease. (It’s hard to think positively and be mad at the same time!)

  2. Offering the benefit of the doubt signals trust in your partner’s character and intentions. This atmosphere of trust fosters a more positive and understanding dynamic between partners.

  3. Couples inevitably encounter misunderstandings or ambiguous situations. By giving the benefit of the doubt, partners can avoid unnecessary conflict that might arise from jumping to negative conclusions.

  4. By avoiding assumptions and giving the benefit of the doubt, couples can create a space for open and honest communication, strengthening their connection and creating more resilient and successful relationships.

Giving the benefit of the doubt to your partner is beneficial for your relationship because it promotes trust, reduces unnecessary conflict, and strengthens emotional connection. Bring your intention to this practice and watch the resilience and intimacy in your relationship grow!

Amy Bouvin