09/03/2026
Your partner forgets to text back. Do you think, “They must be busy,” or “They never think about me”?
The same event can feel very different depending on the overall lens through which we see our partner.
Relationship researcher John Gottman uses the concept of positive sentiment override to describe how a generally positive view of a partner can influence the interpretation of everyday interactions.
That doesn't mean overlooking real problems. It means noticing when frustration has become the lens through which everything your partner does gets interpreted.
🌱 Sometimes changing a relationship begins with becoming aware of the story surrounding the interaction.