15. Are You Being Ignored? The Truth About Stonewalling in Relationships | REDDIT STORIES

Ever felt like your partner just shuts down during an argument? You might be dealing with stonewalling, one of the most toxic communication patterns in relationships. In this episode of Honey, We Need to Chat, we break down:

🔹 What stonewalling really is (and what it’s NOT)
🔹 Why your partner might be shutting down—is it a defense mechanism or something deeper?
🔹 How to break the cycle and create a relationship where both partners feel heard and respected

We also dive into a listener-submitted story about navigating stonewalling in a long-term relationship and analyze real Reddit relationship dilemmas. Whether you're the one shutting down or the one feeling shut out, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now and start transforming the way you communicate!

Timestamps:

• ⏳ 0:00 - What is stonewalling, and why does it hurt relationships?
• ⏳ 9:20 - Listener story: "We avoid fights, but is that a problem?"
• ⏳ 16:45 - The Gottman Institute’s take on stonewalling: Are you doing it without realizing?
• ⏳ 22:30 - How to break free from toxic communication cycles
• ⏳ 30:40 - Reddit story: "My partner shuts down, then acts like nothing happened"
• ⏳ 44:55 - Are you mistaking healthy boundaries for stonewalling?
• ⏳ 55:10 - Actionable steps to improve your communication TODAY
• ⏳ 1:05:30 - Patreon Shoutout + How to submit your own relationship questions

Key Takeaways:

✅ Stonewalling isn’t just "needing space"—it’s an emotional shutdown that stops resolution.
✅ Understanding WHY stonewalling happens (is it emotional overwhelm or manipulation?) can help break the pattern.
✅ Defensiveness & stonewalling often go hand in hand—addressing one can improve the other.
✅ Instead of forcing conversation during a shutdown, set a follow-up time when both partners are calm.
✅ Small changes = big impact. Building a culture of safe communication makes tough conversations easier over time.

🔥 Next Steps:

📢 DM us your questions or stories! Want advice on your relationship? Send in your dilemmas for a chance to be featured!

📥 Free Resources to Go Deeper:

📄 Download our free guide: [⁠The Balanced Partnership Guide⁠]

❤️ Support us on Patreon: ⁠www.patreon.com/honeyweneedtochat

⁠📩 Submit a Story: [⁠Share Your Relationship Struggles⁠]

💬 Join the Conversation: Have a breakthrough moment from this episode? DM us, tag us, or share your thoughts!

🔗Listen now: Anywhere you find your podcasts!

📺Watch on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌍Join the community & share your story:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://honeyweneedtochat.com/⁠