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6 Lessons from Improv that Apply to Relationships
Earlier this year I wrote 6 Lessons From Improv That Apply To Life. Now I thought I’d narrow the focus a bit. Here are six lessons that apply to relationships.
1. Communication Using “Yes, and…”
This is the first (and, depending on who you ask, the only) rule of improv. “Yes, and…” means that you acknowledge what your scene partner said as true, and then build upon it.
In improv they throw around the word “agreement” a lot; however, this doesn’t mean you need to agree in a relationship all the time. Can you imagine saying “yes, and…” to your partner in every circumstance? The sex would get kinky fast! Also your relationship would hit a toxicity level like that of chocolate to dogs.
“Yes, and” simply means you don’t deny your partner’s reality. In improv, if someone says, “We’re going to be late for your brothers birthday party,” and you say, “Brother? I don’t have a brother,” you’re fucked. If your significant other says, “That hurt my feelings,” acknowledge that; don’t respond with, “Oh that wasn’t that mean, stop being so sensitive!” (An excerpt from my own life… Ok, multiple excerpts.)
