a partner that pushes your buttons
Having to deal with a partner that pushes your buttons can be incredibly frustrating. However, if you are in the habit of pushing your partner’s buttons then you need to learn to stop.
Pushing a partner’s buttons within a relationship can make it difficult to remain calm let alone have a productive conversation. As a couple, you will end up turning against each other which will have a negative effect on the relationship.
Most people today would advise you to leave a relationship with a partner that pushes your buttons and move on to a new chapter in your life.
But Psychologist and author Dr. John Townsend disagrees with this opinion and says, “Your button-pusher is not someone you would easily and casually leave. You are intertwined at many levels. It is worth the trouble to take a look at the ways the relationship you had, and want, can be revived and reborn.”
John Townsend’s book “Who’s Pushing Your Buttons?” looks at the root cause of why difficult people are the way they are and he offers strategies that will promote love and understanding within the intimate relationship.
So by arming yourself with the right tools to deal with button pushers you can learn to manage an emotional reaction in the heat of the moment, take a deep breath and figure out how to communicate more effectively with your partner.
How to recognize when your partner is pushing your buttons
Recognizing when your partner is pushing your buttons can be a difficult task, especially if the emotional trigger leaves you feeling angry or upset. There are some signs to look out for, though, to help you recognize when your partner is pushing your buttons. These include:
A change in your partner’s normal behavior
This can signal that they are feeling defensive and trying to protect themselves. If your partner is usually calm but suddenly becomes more defensive, this is a sign that they are feeling attacked and may respond by pushing your buttons.
Feeling the urge to respond negatively
When you feel yourself responding negatively, it is important to notice this and identify its source. If you can identify what your partner said or did that triggered you, you can respond more effectively.
Physical sensations in your body
This can include a tightening in your chest, increased heart rate, or feeling flushed. These are physical signs that you are feeling triggered and defensive. This can be useful in that you can use these sensations to identify the source of the trigger.
Feeling a change in your mood
This can include feeling upset, irritated, or angry. You may feel yourself becoming more withdrawn or feeling like you want to be left alone.
Feeling like you’re not yourself
You may feel like you’re not being your true self, or you’re acting out of character. This can also be a sign that you are being triggered and defensive.
Your buttons may have a lot to do with your past and a negative experience you may have had or your sense of self, and your limiting beliefs. When your buttons are pushed it is often helpful to step back and take some time to link deep feelings within you to what your partner has said to you.
Discovering the real issue behind why you are feeling triggered and overcoming your own beliefs can often set you free.
It is worth noting that in toxic relationships people’s buttons are pushed deliberately as a form of control and for a reaction. It is important to set appropriate limits in such relationships to limit feelings of distress from intentional button pushers.
Understanding why your partner pushes your buttons
Once you’ve recognized that your partner is pushing your buttons, it can be helpful to understand why they are doing this.
People typically push each other’s buttons because they are feeling threatened and want to protect themselves. Once you’ve calmed down, you can use this information to respond more constructively and productively.
- Ask yourself why your partner is feeling threatened and what you can do to reduce this threat.
- Do they want more communication or more space?
- Do they feel that you don’t value them or their needs?
- Does your partner know that they are triggering you and pushing your buttons?
By understanding what is triggering your partner, you can respond more effectively and help reduce the tension between you. You can also use this information to understand yourself and your emotional triggers better.
How to deal with a partner that pushes your buttons
Next time your partner pushes your buttons take responsibility for the way you feel and react calmly instead of taking it personally. Taking things personally makes it harder to find constructive solutions.
Here are some techniques that will support you:
1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the act of being fully present and aware of your surroundings and your emotions. It involves observing your thoughts and feelings as if they are happening to someone else, as opposed to being caught up in them.
By doing this, you can learn how to respond to your partner and your emotions in a more measured and effective way. Some strategies you can use to practice mindfulness include: –
Focused Breathing
Practicing controlled breathing can help you get into the present moment and help calm your body down, reduce stress, and remain more focused. If your body is calm you will be able to respond more productively when your buttons are pushed.
Meditation
There are many different types of meditation that you can try which will help you get in touch with your emotions and thoughts. When your buttons are pushed you will be able to respond more calmly to them without being pulled into the negativity.
Journaling
Journaling can be a great way to express yourself. It can provide you with a safe space to let go of negative feelings and emotions and allow for healing.
2. Alone Time
When your partner has pushed your buttons and you have been emotionally triggered it is helpful to spend time alone and take an in-depth look at yourself. Ask yourself why you are feeling triggered. Be vulnerable with yourself and look within.
- Are you feeling abandoned?
- Are you feeling rejected?
- Are you feeling that you are not good enough?
- Are you being reminded of something from your past?
Discovering how you are feeling and why you are feeling a certain way when your buttons are pushed and you react emotionally without thought can bring healing to the wounded parts of yourself.
3. communicating more effectively
Communication is what can make or break a relationship. While it is important to understand your partner and respond to them more productively, it is also important to communicate your needs and feelings effectively.
If your partner is pushing your buttons ask yourself the following questions
- Is it intentional?
- Am I interpreting what was said correctly?
- Why do I feel so triggered?
- Is my reaction serving me in the best possible way?
- How can I look at the situation differently?
At this point, you are probably feeling very vulnerable and not thinking about the consequences of what you are saying. The less you say the better until you calm down and can effectively communicate with your partner and authentically and vulnerably express to them how you are feeling.
4. Understanding and accepting your emotions
Every relationship will have disagreements and arguments. What matters is how you and your partner deal with these issues. One of the best ways to deal with these situations is to understand and accept your emotions. By understanding your emotions, you can determine what they are trying to tell you, and how to respond and move past them.
Use your senses
This can help you to unlock the emotions you’re experiencing and identify the root cause.
Identify the feeling and its source
Once you’ve identified the feeling, ask yourself what situation or person triggered it. This can help you understand the root cause of your emotion and you can then work on how to move past them.
Write it down
Journaling can be a great way to process your emotions and come to terms with them. This can also be a good way to communicate your emotions to your partner.
5. Building trust with your partner
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. To build trust with your partner, you need to communicate your needs and feelings and respond to them in a positive, and constructive way.
Allow yourself to be more open and vulnerable as this can also help you build trust and a stronger, healthier relationship.
You can also build trust by being empathetic and trying to understand your partner’s perspective and where they are coming from.
6. Learning how to compromise
Compromise is essential for a healthy relationship. It can be difficult to learn how to compromise, though, especially if you are feeling attacked.
Understanding your emotions and why you feel the way you do can help you reach a place of compromise with your partner.
Before you start compromising, it is important to discuss the situation with your partner and negotiate a solution. This can help you reach an outcome that works for both of you.
Look at the big picture when you’re trying to reach a compromise. Focus on the long-term benefits of the solution rather than short-term sacrifices.
7. Finding a therapist
If you’re struggling with communication, trust, or your emotions, it can be a good idea to seek couples therapy. This can help you better understand yourself and your emotions, and make it easier to communicate with your partner.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that our buttons get pushed in close relationships and with family members and we can not always just walk away from these relationships.
A healthy way of dealing with button pushers is to have more effective and open communication, understand why they are feeling attacked and defensive and then look within and find trigger points within yourself that need healing.
