Is that argument worth it? Power of the 5-5-5 rule in relationships

Is that argument worth it? Power of the 5-5-5 rule in relationships (Photo: iStock)

In the heat of an argument, perspective is often the first thing to disappear. Voices rise, emotions flare, and what started as a minor misunderstanding suddenly feels like a relationship-ending crisis. It is in these moments that many couples say things they don’t mean, make decisions they regret, or allow small issues to grow into lasting wounds. 

“I used to lose my cool over the smallest things,” says 32-year-old Kendi, a schoolteacher from Nairobi. “A missed call or a poorly timed comment could ruin an entire evening. But once I started using the 5-5-5 rule, things changed. Now, when I’m upset, I ask myself: Will this matter in five days? Five years? More often than not, it helps me realise I’m overreacting.”