Something that seems to be a reoccurring theme in my life lately is communication.

This is a very important aspect in all relationships-whether it be friendships, familial relationships, or romantic relationships, communication allows peoples’ relationships to flourish.

I know someone who recently had a fight with a friend because she thought she said something about her behind her back. Instead of going to her friend right away, she wallowed in her anger (which, be honest, we have all done that).

Needless to say, wallowing in her anger didn’t do her any good. The friend asked why she was acting weird, choice words were exchanged, and a fight inevitably ensued. As it turns out, the friend wasn’t even saying anything behind her back.

Friendships can be tricky. Especially when a group of people is always hanging out. There is the chance of someone is feeling left out, people getting annoyed with one another and talking about certain members of the group. However, it is always important to talk to friends about emotions and thoughts. If not, these relationships could take an ugly turn (and, as is the case in many girl-friendships, a dramatic turn).

I have also experienced fights with my best friend in the past that, if we would have communicated better, could have been avoided altogether.

Romantic relationships are also things to be cared for. Let’s face it: boys and girls are extremely different on many levels most times. So, letting the other person know what is going on is going to be extremely important.

My boyfriend and I have been trying a new, novel idea: Not waiting for the anger to go away. Often times, in the past, he and I have gotten mad about something, and in order to avoid a fight, we have let the subject go. However, this has seemed to backfire because when another subject came up, often times the thing that we had let go was brought up and made the argument worse.

So, now he and I are letting each other know how we feel right away, and it has seemed to be working quite well for quite some time now.

Communication is a universal concept that should be placed in every aspect of a person’s life. Whether with family, friends, boy/girlfriends, in the workplace, it is important to allow feelings to be heard.

Now, this doesn’t mean that people have to go around telling everyone everything they have been doing to irk that person. Rather, it means that people should try to be open and honest with each other in the right manner, at the right time in order to try to avoid a future more explosive argument.

I know from experience, communication is key.

Melissa Sturtevant is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com