Concept from Chapter 11

For this week’s discussion, I chose the concept of Navigation, “the process of staying committed and living a life together despite ups and downs, and pleasant and unpleasant surprises” (Wood, p. 286). Within the idea of navigation there exists relational cultures, “a private world of rules, understandings, meanings, and patterns of acting and interpreting that partners create for their relationship” and placemaking, “the process of creating a comfortable personal environment that reflects the values, experiences, and tastes of the couple.” Navigation in relationships is complex and requires the attention of both partners as each person has different needs. When couples encounter tension from relational dialectics, they reevaluate their relationship and make necessary changes. However, the resolution of tensions is never complete, but a continuing process. All couples experience tensions, but those who can navigate better and make revisions are able to stay committed. Relational cultures are unique and different in each couple. No two couples have the exact same settings when it comes to interpretations and emphasis. Placemaking is when couples make a space distinctly theirs by infusing it with objects and indicators of values, preferences, experiences, tastes, etc.