“You should try hanging out with ….”
Introducing your friends and their partner to your babe is a great idea, however, you may want to avoid pushing your partner to become friendly with your friend’s or their partner. Introverts are usually very selective with who they give their energy and attention to. If you’re trying to push them to give it to someone they’re not interested in, maybe in hopes that social planning is easier for you, it’s likely to feel like a violation of boundaries or an abuse of your relationship trust.
“You never want to do anything fun.”
This statement won’t help you get your partner to feel comfortable being out in public doing the things you think are fun. Saying this to your partner is hurtful and dismissive of your partner’s comfort level. I recommend couples find a balance between time socializing and time alone. This isn’t about compromise, instead, think of it like a negotiation or a flexible plan. Sometimes there will be months or periods of time where socializing more is an appropriate expectation. This can be balanced in the relationship by prioritizing quiet and alone time outside of that.
“Why are you so quiet all the time?”
Saying this may bring up feelings of inadequacy in your partner and aren’t a clear way of communicating your own feelings. This is a passive aggressive way of saying your expectations aren’t met or you’re disappointed, and may make your partner feel self conscious, which doesn’t strengthen connection or trust in the relationship. Introverts need time to process their thoughts and feelings before speaking. If you want your partner to open up more, especially socially, it’s important to respect their pace and focus on creating a safe environment for them.
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