Communication and Relationships
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so let’s discuss a hot topic in romantic relationships: communication. Communication is the foundation of every relationship, especially the romantic type. No matter how hard we try, we cannot read our partner’s mind. Communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings that may cause hurt or anger.
When there’s a lack of communication in romantic relationships, it can lead to blame, resentment, and relationship anxiety. If the poor communication is prolonged, it increases the likelihood of a breakup, separation, or divorce.
So, how can we make sure that our communication is the best it can be in our romantic relationship?
Art Therapy in Relationships
There are plenty of ways to boost you and your partners communication skills, but the one we’re going to highlight today is through art therapy. Specifically, mosaics. Mosaics are a great way to communicate with your partner through art.
We often talk about relationships in terms of a journey, how you met, the time of budding romance, becoming more serious, etc. A mosaic is similar – it’s all these little pieces of your story together. Some pieces are smooth, some are rough. Some parts of the mosaic catch your eye more while some are there to balance the piece.
When we create a mosaic with our partner, it’s like creating a story. Maybe there are parts of your relationship that are not quite finished, or they’re hard to piece together, or they’re far apart. There can be parts you really like and parts that don’t spark as much joy. When you take a step back and look at the entire picture, it all comes together as a cohesive whole.
When we seal the mosaic together, it once again mirrors the journey of a romantic relationship. The grout is the glue of your relationship. If the grout isn’t mixed correctly or some pieces don’t fit, it doesn’t work as well.
Making a Mosaic
To make a mosaic, you’ll need some basic tools. Get a sheet of wood, colored glass, tile adhesive, hammer, mosaic tile grout and a sponge.
The first step is to sketch your ideas out on paper. You can start creating the picture of the journey of your relationship. Be creative. Use colors and patterns that are symbolic of the trials and tribulations you and your partner have been through. When you’ve finished the sketch, you can transfer it to the piece of wood.
Take your tile, glass, ceramic, or whatever you’d like to use as materials and wrap it in a cloth. Using a hammer, break the material. Make sure you wear safety goggles to protect your eyes during this step.
Next, gather your broken tiles into color categories. This will help you stay organized as your piecing your mosaic together. Glue each piece onto your sketched wood. Make sure the pieces are generally close together, so your grout lines look neat. Let the glue sit for 24 hours.
The next day, spread the grout using a grout float. Make sure you press hard to get in between all the cracks and crevices. Let the grout set for 20+ minutes. Using a sponge and water, gently wipe of the excess grout. Let the project sit for another day and spray with white vinegar to remove the grout dust. And voila! You have your mosaic.
Art therapy allows us to introspectively express, explore, and help us understand our relationships. The process of starting and completing a project together can be very therapeutic. It will encourage teamwork and communication naturally while also giving you space to reflect and remember the entire journey of your relationship.
Mosaics have a strong history of representing love. They’re known for their durability and immortality. If you need inspiration to start yours, check out these ancient mosaics.
If you’d like to purchase materials for a mosaic project, check here.
If you need support in communicating with your partner, please reach out to us. Our team of therapists is here to provide support and guidance. We look forward to connecting with you.
