The most common complaint I hear from couples is they don’t communicate well. Often the words make sense to me but I suspect those words are loaded with all sorts of meaning, not all of it happy.
Communication can become distorted while being shared. Assumed meanings are not said aloud so they never reach the listener. The listener may interpret what is being said without recognizing the message is being shared at face value. It doesn’t take long until everyone is frustrated and unhappy.
I like to focus on communication skills when I first meet a couple. We take the time to look at assumptions, unspoken meanings, and feelings that color basic sharing. With a little awareness, you can tweak how you communicate and we can resolve other issues much easier.