Introduction“Conflict is a problematic situation that occurs between interdependent people who seek different goals or means to achieve those goals (Cahn & Abigail, 2014).” Perceived differences can negatively affect the relationship if not addressed and are one of the characteristics of conflict. Another characteristic of conflict is the sense of urgency regarding the need to resolve differences. Although conflicts occur in many places – in the workplace, between friends, parents and children, etc., one of the most difficult areas where conflicts occur is in romantic relationships. Not resolving conflict can cause resentment and dampen mutual feelings, and the urgency to resolve differences is palpable. I shared the last five years of my life with a friend and ex-boyfriend, Rob, living in a house in my 40s. boat on foot. Living in these cramped quarters with someone you love and get along with very well would be difficult, but living with someone who causes daily conflict is nearly impossible. Rob has been married twice and had been divorced for 13 years when I met him. His general attitude toward relationships is that if you don't like what he does, "you know where the door is." They told me this several times during my first year with him. But I thought the good outweighed the bad. I was a full time boater myself, traveling on an older boat before I met Rob and loved that lifestyle. Traveling with someone else and sharing expenses has allowed you to go to many more places than you could travel alone. Meeting a man who had some really good qualities - love and compassion for animals, good sense of humor, also enjoying the boating lifestyle, love of family - and living in a... middle of paper... ..so, my situation Rob was resolved by taking assertive communication steps and asking him to seek counseling to help him deal with his misperceptions about women. Now I know about Relational Transgressions, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. But these can only happen between two people willing to work things out. He refused and I left. And life is much, much better outside of an atmosphere of constant conflict. Works Cited Cahn, D.D., & Abigail, R.A. (2014). Managing conflict through communication (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.O'Connor, A. (2009). Lee Marvin's partner gave the world "palimony". The Era/World. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.auTavris, C., & Aaronson, E. (2007). Mistakes have been made (but not by me): why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and harmful acts. New York: Harcourt.