“We don’t talk anymore.” Sadly, this is becoming a more and more common answer when someone asks a question about why two people are no longer in touch. The lack of sincere communication in today’s society is becoming such a problem.

Communication can be considered one of the most important means of creating and maintaining a relationship of any kind. Whether it is between a boy and a girl, two friends, a married couple, siblings, or an entire family as a whole, a relationship must have some type of surface to fall back on. It is just so sad to see how many relationships have failed just because someone was too afraid to say how they felt about something.

In my short 20 years, I have witnessed and been a part of too many unsuccessful relationships and friendships. The most significant of these collapsed relationships being my own family. The lack of communication between the members of my family has caused endless conflict and resulted in the overall feeling of detachment.

There is just so much tension and bitterness between the members of my family that it is plainly difficult to be close to them anymore. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It’s a heartbreaking moment when a brother and a sister who have known each other their whole lives can’t even hold a single conversation without it being awkward.

It’s an even worse feeling when all of the people you love are not even able to come together as a family anymore because they cannot speak to each other without underlying anger and remorse. It is way too common and almost expected for families to be split up by failure and divorce these days, so much that it is quite terrifying to even think about the future of relationships.

However, it is not only family relationships that suffer because of the absence of healthy communication. The disconnection within my family has helped me to realize what I really want in a relationship. I want something real and tangible. I’m getting pretty tired of these “almost relationships” and all of the uncertainty that comes with them. I am mentally drained from hearing about two people who could have been together but were too afraid to tell each other or were unsure of what the other person’s intensions actually were.

Once again, this is a situation where communication is key. It gets exhausting to explain why you and so and so didn’t work out. “Hey, whatever happened to you and Bob?” “Oh, we just sort of stopped talking and it didn’t really work out.” This is a conversation that I’m certainly quite tired of hearing. Sure, I understand that not all relationships can last because of various reasons, but this just seems to happen all too often. Two people start talking and spending time with each other and feelings may start to develop between the two of them. It is up to these two individuals to act upon what is going on and determine whether or not they want to start a relationship. It’s really quite simple.

I guess all I’m really trying to say is that if you like someone, be honest and tell them. It is not fair to leave someone hanging onto to the idea that you could be together if you’re not going to follow through with it. However, if you do not have feelings for this person, do not just simply stop talking to them out of the blue. Communicate with them. They deserve some type of explanation. It is seemingly difficult to open up and find connections with people in this world. That being said, I try my best when it comes to making and maintaining those types of connections because nothing is guaranteed in this life.

All in all, it’s worth a shot. Take a chance on a relationship. If you’re questioning certain aspects about the situation or the person, open up to them about it and tell them how you feel. Communication can only help. The same goes for relationships within families. Reaching out to your loved ones is worth trying. Although the outcome may be uncertain, at least you can say you made an honest attempt. Most importantly, communicate with the people who mean something to you in your life. You never know how much time you have left with them.