Fix the leak before it becomes a flood!

Chaos in relationships happen little by little. The relationship simmers before it boils. And by the time it boils, the damage is severe and harder to manage. Unhappiness piles up. It doesn't happen overnight.

And this is how it happens: No one says anything. After all, they don't want to rock the boat. Disturbing and/or distasteful issues are conveniently swept under the carpet, where they will surely fester. Sins of omission can be catastrophic.

At the time, it might feel easier to say nothing in order to keep the peace. But whatever issue you're avoiding doesn't diminish, it grows in darkness. Remember ... avoidance poisons the future. Everything that doesn't get addressed eventually rears its ugly head.

The things that were ignored, lied about, or rationalized away, will surface when you least expect it. And that appearance will be disastrous.

Not thinking about something you don't want to know, doesn't make it go away. In fact, it becomes more powerful in the shadows. And when things finally blow up, the people involved are blindsided, ill-prepared.

So what's the fix?

Talk about it! Whatever is an issue for you, discuss it. When you talk about something, it becomes visible and loses its power.

Address all issues early on in order to prevent a big headache in the future. For instance, if you talk about overspending, you might be avoiding financial ruin. If you talk about sexual dissatisfaction, you might be avoiding an affair.

Things that are addressed as soon as they arise, can prevent big problems later on.

Don't shy away from problems because it's easier to avoid. If you do that, things will become unmanageable.

If there's a conversation that needs to be had, have it. Waiting will never make it easier.