Assignment: Turning Towards

When you honor and respect each other, you can appreciate different points of view.

Est. reading time: 5 min.

In a recent blog post, Certified Gottman Therapist and bestselling author Zach Brittle wrote about Turning Towards and asked readers to send him a picture of the “flowchart for conflict” through bids and turning that he describes in “T is for Turning.” This is what we think it may look like:

He received many excellent (and creative) submissions from readers, and has selected his two favorites to share with you:

via Erin M.

via Melanie J. In this post, we discuss Turning Toward by providing an exercise written by Dr. John Gottman for what to do when your partner doesn’t Turn Toward you. If one of you is feeling rejected by the other lately or overwhelmed by your partner’s need for closeness, you should both take some time this weekend to review the exercise below and then share your answers. There is no answer key for these questions; they are merely a point of departure for discussions with your partner. The bottom line of this approach is that there isn’t one reality when a couple misses each other in little ways. There are two equally legitimate perspectives. Remember: couples often ignore each other’s emotional needs out of mindlessness, not malice. Once you understand and acknowledge this, you’ll find that reconnecting just comes naturally. During this week I felt… 1. Defensive. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 2. Hurt. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 3. Unappreciated. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 4. Unattractive. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 5. Sad. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 6. Lonely. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 7. Criticized. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 8. Worried. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 9. Misunderstood. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 10. Like leaving. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all What triggered these feelings? 1. I felt excluded. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 2. I felt that my partner was not attracted to me. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 3. I was not important to my partner. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 4. I felt no affection toward my partner. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all 5. I definitely felt rejected. A Great Deal Definitely A Little Not at all Now that you know what triggered this episode, it’s time to see whether your emotional reaction is rooted in your past. Were there any connections between earlier traumas or behavior and the current situation? Use the following list to facilitate this search for links between the past and present. These recent feelings about my relationship come from:

The way I was treated in my family growing up
A previous relationship
Past injuries, hard times, or traumas I’ve suffered
My basic fears and insecurities
Things and events I have not yet resolved or put aside
Unrealized hopes I have
Ways other people treated me in the past
Things I have always thought about myself
Old “nightmares” or “catastrophes” I have worried about

After you’ve discussed each other’s answers above, you will come to see that many of your differences are not really matter of “fact.” We are all complicated creatures whose actions and reactions are governed by a wide array of perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories. As you work through this exercise, you’ll become more adept at turning toward each other regularly. When you honor and respect each other, you can appreciate different points of view.

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The Gottman Institute

The Gottman Institute’s Editorial Team is composed of staff members who contribute to the Institute’s overall message. It is our mission to reach out to individuals, couples, and families in order to help create and maintain greater love and health in relationships.

Publish Date: October 3, 2014

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

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