Beckoning Instead of Chasing

 

Many relationships have a pattern in which one person is distant or
detached and the other person wants closeness and pursues. The more
the pursuer seeks closeness, the more the distancer pulls away. The
distancer may avoid (nonsexual) intimate contact for fear of being
suffocated, controlled, or robbed of independence. The pursuer may find
that spending time alone feels like abandonment or that independent action
is uncomfortable. Often, the pursuer will be the person to become
dissatisfied with the situation and need to start making a difference.
Change can begin with the following steps:

• Leave others alone when they pull away. Don’t follow, worry about, or
  punish them when they are in their own world.

• Ignore your partner’s distress if he or she doesn’t want to talk: If your
  partner looks upset but says “I’m OK,” he or she may mean, “Support
  me by not worrying” or “Let me handle it by myself.” You can ask,
  “Would you tell me what is bothering you when you’re ready?”

• Develop your own pursuits and support system for times when your
  partner withdraws: Many people lose themselves (their interests,
  desires) in relationships. If you are upset or depressed when your
  partner is withdrawn, find other people to talk to.

• When your partner shows interest in making contact, welcome him or
  her warmly: This is not the time to be punishing or to retaliate. Take
  advantage of these times for discussions and intimacy. Healthy
  relationships have a natural flow of distance and closeness.

• At opportune times, initiate conversations by sharing your own ideas
  on a subject and then pause to hear your partner’s. Tell your partner
  how much you’ve been enjoying yourself and wait to hear what he or
  she has done or thought. Do not interrogate!

• Identify any underlying disorder that may be contributing to the
  problem: If your partner is unwilling or unable to get help, make a
  decision about whether or not the relationship has enough benefits
  to make it worth continuing.

       a.  Depression is a mood disorder that is usually very responsive to
            medication and/or therapy. Signs of mild depression that may go
            untreated are withdrawal, disinterest in sexual contact, inability to
            experience pleasure, few interests, little energy, difficulty
            organizing thoughts, and indecisiveness.
  
       b.  Personality disorders are long-standing patterns of behavior that
            significantly impair relationships. Loyalty, dependability, and a
            strong work ethic may be enough to sustain some relationships,
            but the following characteristics suggest a person who has little
            potential for intimacy and change:

•        Lack of interest in or enjoyment of close relationships.

•        Preference for solitary activities.

•        Rarely experiences or admits to strong emotions, even anger.

•        Unaffected by praise or criticism.

•        Almost no close friends other than first-degree relatives.

•        Avoids eye contact; unresponsive to facial expressions such as

                 nods or smiles.
     

Reference

Strategies for beckoning are adapted from Men Are from Mars, Women
Are from Venus by John Gray (HarperCollins, 1992).