Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dear Amy,

 

My boyfriend and I have been together for two years, but lately, we’ve been arguing more than usual. We can’t seem to agree on anything and I’m worried it’s driving us apart. How can we get back on track?

 

Sincerely, Arguing and Anxious

 

Dear Arguing and Anxious,

 

Ah, relationships — they’re like a roller coaster, but instead of fun loops, you get emotional whiplash. So, how do you fix this? Simple: start agreeing with everything he says, no matter how ridiculous. If he says he wants to turn the living room into a ball pit, don’t argue — just nod and start ordering plastic balls by the truckload. Eventually, he’ll realize the absurdity and stop suggesting things altogether. You win!

Or better yet, introduce a scoreboard system. Every time one of you “wins” an argument, you get a point. First person to 100 points gets to pick the next vacation spot, but here’s the twist — every time you argue, you have to wear matching ugly sweaters until the fight is over. Trust me, there’s nothing like hideous wool and itchy collars to make you both rethink your priorities.

If that doesn’t work, I’d suggest pretending to have temporary amnesia. Every time an argument starts, just look at him with wide, confused eyes and say, “Who are you?” Not only will this end the fight quickly, but it’ll buy you enough time to plan your next move.

As a last resort, try to remember that arguments are natural in relationships, but constant conflict can wear you down. The key is to communicate openly about what’s bothering you and find a middle ground. 

Try focusing on the issues rather than blaming each other and be willing to listen without interrupting. Setting aside time to reconnect and do something fun together can also help rebuild the bond. Sometimes, it’s all about rediscovering what brought you together in the first place.

 

Best of bad advice,

Amy