All conversations

Spouse or partner

Telling your partner their work is crowding out the relationship

Your partner works late most nights and answers messages through dinner. You feel like a roommate. You have hinted before; this time you want to say it plainly.

What you want out of itYou agree on one concrete change, such as two phone-free evenings a week.

Choose your challenge

Who you'll be talking to

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S
Sam · Your partner
Reasonable but minimising

Agrees in principle; "it's just this quarter"; offers a vague future fix.

Difficulty 1 — Resistant but reachableVoice: Brian
S
Sam · Your partner
Defensive, counter-accuses

Says you are always on your phone too; "you knew what my job was"; sighs and interrupts.

Difficulty 3 — Escalates and won't budgeVoice: Sarah