"I" versus "You" Statements

"Why don’t you ever listen?"
"You just don’t understand me!"
"You are of no help at all!"
"You are so insensitive, you just don’t care, you don’t love me"

Sound familiar?

It is nothing new to argue about housework, priorities and money. For many couples, these arguments occur weekly. This observation is exactly why choosing the right words during an argument is so important. When you change your words, you change your life, and nowhere is this more true than in relationships.

Even when you have the best of intentions, without mindful awareness of the words you use, what you say can escalate an argument into a full-blown fight and really hurt the one you love. And one of the most common mistakes those in a relationship make with their language is the use of “you-statements” instead of using “I-statements.”

WHAT IS A “YOU-STATEMENT?”

“You-statements,” such as those listed above, are phrases that begin with the pronoun “you” and imply that the listener is responsible for something. They show no ownership of emotions, but rather blame, accuse and assume the receiver. By blaming others for something in your life, you are giving away your power. You begin to adopt a victim mentality. This type of statement is more likely to make your partner feel defensive and resentful, and he or she will be less likely to want to make peace.

WHAT IS AN “I-STATEMENT?”

An “I-statement,” on the other hand, forces us to take responsibility for what we are thinking and feeling and prevents us from blaming our partners. Phrasing statements beginning with "I" places the power in your hands. When using “I-statements,” we become empowered and can still be assertive, but find a less hostile, more compassionate way to communicate.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “YOU-STATEMENTS” AND “I-STATEMENTS”

“You-statements” are often used to assert blame and even punish your partner, consciously or unconsciously. By pointing out what they’ve done wrong or how they’ve made you feel upset, sad or angry, you’re either trying to make them feel as bad as you feel or you’re trying to make them change. Neither is a part of creating a healthy relationship nor creating an opportunity to come together.

An “I-statement,” on the other hand, shows personal accountability and open-mindedness. It states that even though your partner is not acting or speaking in the way you’d prefer, you are not blaming him or her for how you feel. When using “I-statements,” you take responsibility for the part you played in the disagreement and display the openness for deep listening and resolution.

FORMING “I-STATEMENTS”

So how do you turn a “you-statement” into an “I-statement?”

Describe your feelings: First, remember that the point of an “I-statement” is to express how you feel inside. Because of this, you can think of an “I-statement” as an “I-feel statement.”  A true “I-statement” uses specific emotions such as “I feel…” joyful, anxious, lonely, resentful, angry, calm, embarrassed, fearful, etc.

Avoid words that may seem like emotions, but really imply a story or the action of your partner: “I feel…ignored, annoyed, pissed off, mistreated, manipulated, controlled, cheated, abandoned, etc.”

It is also a common misperception that you can tack on the words “I feel” in front of a you-statement, once again giving your power away. For example, “I feel like you are taking me for granted.” That is just a “you-statement” in disguise. It implies blame and there is no actual emotion being expressed.

“I-STATEMENT” EXAMPLES

It can be difficult to use “I-statements” if you’re not used to consciously using this type of language. These “I-statement examples” may help:

• "I felt excluded when I didn't receive an invitation."
  
• "I felt powerless when I am not able to do what I want to do."
  
• "I felt unheard when I don't see others following through."
  
• "I felt unloved when I was alone last week for dinner."
  
• “I felt anxious when I missed a deadline.”
  
• "I felt judged when I don't see acknowledgment from others."
  
• "I felt disrespected when I don't see others look me in the eyes."
  
• "I felt unsafe when I wasn't in your arms."
  
• “I felt embarrassed when you mentioned my name in front of others.”
  
• “I felt confused and hurt when you leave your clothes on the floor because I thought I had communicated how important it was that you put them in the laundry basket.”
  
• “I feel resentful when you go on hikes on the weekends without me when we have not had time together for weeks.”
  

USING “I-STATEMENTS”

Using “I-feel statements” works best when your emotions seem overwhelming and you want to take it out on your significant other. When you first start using them, explain to your partner what you’re trying to accomplish and admit you might not do it perfectly the first time. Do you best to be as gentle as possible and realize that the tone and body language of your voice matters as much – if not more – than the words you use. Consider using some of the “I-statement” examples listed above and do your best to identify the emotion you are feeling and its origin. Admit if you have a trigger from the past that is playing a part in how you feel and if this is making you react rather than response.

To help you better understand how you to turn a “you-statement” into an “I-statement,” consider how to change your language during these common conflicts:

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References

Robbins, T. (2020). Why Your Wording Matters: Using "I" Statements In Relationships. Retrieved 23 March 2020, from https://www.tonyrobbins.com/love-relationships/words-matter-you-vs-i/