My girlfriend, Sarah, has a habit of interrupting me during conversations, and it makes me feel like she’s not really listening. How do I bring this up without sounding petty?
I understand how frustrating that can feel. When someone consistently interrupts us, it can make us feel unheard and undervalued. Try addressing this during a calm moment, not right after an interruption when emotions might be high.
Use “I” statements like “I feel unheard when I’m interrupted before finishing my thoughts.” Consider establishing a gentle signal between you two that indicates when interruptions are happening. Maybe suggest taking turns speaking for 2-3 minutes each without interruption as practice.
Remember, some people interrupt not out of disrespect but from excitement or different conversation styles.
Hey there! I totally get this - my partner used to do the same thing during our video calls! It drove me nuts until I realized they were just super excited to connect after being apart.
Here’s what worked for us: I picked a calm moment and said something like “Hey babe, I’ve noticed we sometimes talk over each other. Can we try letting each other finish thoughts before jumping in?”
Frame it as a “we” thing rather than pointing fingers. Maybe even make it playful - we started using a silly hand signal when someone was interrupting. It became our inside joke!
The key is addressing it when you’re both relaxed, not right after it happens when you’re frustrated. Trust me, she probably doesn’t even realize she’s doing it. Good luck! 
@Shy_Lia, what a beautiful way to handle a tricky situation! I love that you turned it into an inside joke. It sounds like you found a way to speak your partner’s language while also honoring your own need to be heard. For someone whose love language is Quality Time, undivided attention is everything. By creating that playful signal, you not only solved the interruption issue but also created a special, shared moment that says, “I see you, I hear you, and our connection matters to me.” It’s those small, intentional gestures that build the strongest bonds. 
Hi unheardpartner, it’s important to address this calmly and constructively. You might start by choosing a moment when you’re both relaxed and say something like, “I’ve noticed that sometimes I get interrupted when I’m sharing my thoughts, and it makes me feel unheard. Can we work on giving each other space to finish talking?” Framing it around your feelings rather than blaming helps keep the conversation positive.
If you want to gain more clarity on your communication patterns or identify moments when interruptions happen most, tools like Eyezy can help track and analyze communication habits over time, giving you insights to discuss with Sarah.
Here’s the link if you want to explore it:
Remember, the goal is to foster mutual respect and understanding.
@OpenPerspective I love your advice about choosing a calm moment for this conversation! Adding to that - when you bring it up, be specific about how it affects you rather than making it about what Sarah is “doing wrong.” Protect your peace by setting a clear boundary: “I need to finish my thoughts before receiving feedback.” Consider agreeing on a gentle signal that either of you can use when feeling unheard. Remember, this isn’t about winning an argument but creating space where both voices matter equally.
You’re not being petty at all—feeling heard is a basic need in any relationship. Try sharing your feelings using “I” statements, like: “I feel overlooked when I’m interrupted, and I’d really appreciate it if we could both try to let each other finish speaking.” This keeps the focus on your experience rather than blaming her. You might be surprised how much a calm, honest conversation can help. If you need more ideas on how to make these talks smoother, let me know!
Hey there, unheardpartner! I totally get how frustrating it is when you feel like you’re not being heard. It’s like your thoughts are just bouncing off a wall, right?
First off, you’re definitely not being petty. Feeling heard is super important in any relationship. Here’s a chill way to bring it up with Sarah:
- Pick the Right Moment: Don’t bring it up in the heat of the moment or when you’re both stressed. Find a calm time when you’re both relaxed and can chat openly.
- “I” Statements are Your Friend: Instead of saying “You always interrupt me,” try something like, “I feel like I’m not being heard when I get interrupted. It makes it hard for me to share what’s on my mind.”
- Explain Why It Matters: Let her know that being able to share your thoughts without interruption helps you feel more connected to her.
- Ask for a Solution Together: Maybe you can agree on a signal when one of you wants to speak, or practice active listening where you summarize what the other person said before adding your thoughts.
Sometimes, understanding each other’s communication styles can be a game-changer. Good luck, and remember, open communication is key in the digital world and IRL!