You should not allow silence to be a way of life in your relationship. Despite the ease that lack of confrontation and slipping into silence can bring, fear, mistrust, suspicion among others may emerge. Here are effects of silence to a relationship.
1. Silence leads to depression, despair and giving up. When silence becomes the default mode within the relationship, distance continues to widen and those who are struggling may try to cope by turning to addictive substances, secretive activities or taking part in risky behaviors.
2. Silence can limit a relationship. Some people use silence as a powerful means to withdraw from the relationship, eliminating the opportunity for meaningful communication and resolution of problems- while also refusing to validate the other person’s perception of what is really going on.
3. Silence complicates relationship problems. Silence and lack of communication push them underneath the surface for some period of time, yet weeks or months later they often flare up again as painful insults and allegations that have now become more exaggerated and extreme.
4. Silence denies you expressive needs. This often leads to frustration, misunderstandings and contributing to the lack of verbal and emotional intimacy- creating even more distance between two people despite the outward appearance that they are getting along.
5. Silence can create division. When the other person reaches out to the silent partner, they are given no opportunity to try to more clearly understand or resolve issues that divide them