How to Resolve a Conflict in a New Relationship

Conflict is difficult to deal with in any relationship, but when conflict arises in a relationship that is relatively new, it is especially hard to deal with. New relationships are fragile, the feelings are new and it's important to resolve conflicts in a way that preserves the budding relationship but is still fair to both people involved. Here are some suggestions for resolving a conflict in a new relationship.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Face it. Ignoring a conflict is just as bad for a new relationship as it is for an established one. Pretending that a conflict isn't important or doesn't exist only exacerbates the situation. Even if the conflict is a relatively small one, facing it and resolving it together will strengthen the bond between the two of you.
2. Take responsibility. Don't place all of the blame for the conflict on the other person. Since there are two of you in the relationship, it is likely that both of you contributed to the conflict in some way. Take responsibility for your actions, swallow your pride and admit that you were wrong. This will help the conflict be resolved sooner and show respect for person you are dating.
3. Be honest. Tell the other person in the relationship how you feel, even if it means telling them that they have hurt you or made you angry or that you don't feel that they are taking responsibility for causing the conflict to arise. Keeping your feelings inside will only leave you hurt and resentful; making them known will help you feel better and establish an open line of communication between the two of you.
4. Let go of the small stuff. Not all conflicts require debate and long conversation in order to be resolved. If the conflict is a small or less serious one, like dirty dishes left in the sink or leaving the toilet seat up, don't blow it out of proportion. Explain why it's a problem, establish a simple agreement or solution and move on. Dwelling on a small conflict will only make the larger ones more difficult to deal with.
5. Respect each other. Above all else, give the other person in the relationship the respect they deserve when trying to resolve a conflict. Even if you disagree with them completely, extend them the courtesy of hearing them out, letting them explain their side of the conflict and how they feel, and be fair about resolving it so that both people are treated equally. If you continue to respect one another, any conflict can be resolved.