In therapy, most of the communication made is through words, and it’s encouraged that a couple use good communication through words to help the relationship grow, to avoid or repair conflict, or to simply express love and gratitude.
But for some people, expressing through words can be very difficult, but putting those words into an action is a way of ‘saying’ this is me expressing without words.
So;
Although it seemed your partner never expressed much interest in your struggles and stressors at work, they then book you a weekend away and this is saying, ‘I’m hearing your struggles and that you need a break to unwind.’
Although your partner never said much when you were talking about them sharing more household chores, noticing they have cleaned the kitchen is them saying, ‘I can hear you’re struggling and need more support, so I want to help.’
It’s often the meaning behind an action, and working out what the words would be, that then allows you to hear your partner even in their silence.