Practice: From You to Me (well….“I”)

Let’s try transforming regular statements into 'I-messages.’

Instructions

1. Read the Statements: Below are a list of 10 statements that are commonly used in conversations. Your task is to select 5 of these and convert them into 'I-messages.'
• "You never listen to me."
• "You're always late."
• "You don't care about my feelings."
• "This place is a mess."
• "You're not meeting your commitments."
• "You never help around the house."
• "You're being unreasonable."
• "You never think before you speak."
• "You're so lazy."
• "You make me feel unimportant.”
2. Convert to 'I-messages': For each of the 5 statements you selected, think about how it can be rephrased as an 'I-message.' Remember, the format for 'I-messages' generally goes:

• "I feel [emotion] when [specific behavior/event] because [underlying reason]. I would appreciate if [desired action]."

• "I feel disrespected when you arrive late because it wastes my time. I would appreciate if you could be punctual."

3. Write Down Your 'I-messages': In a notebook or digital document, write down your converted 'I-messages.' Be as specific as possible.
4. Reflect: After completing the exercise, take a moment to reflect on the differences between the original statements and your 'I-messages.' How do the 'I-messages' foster a more constructive and less confrontational environment?