I think she has tried. She got her nails done. She took part in massages, even though she’s not a touchy person. She tried to laugh off his casual sexism. But, then she felt she was suppressing her feelings and needs.
Ash takes everything defensively and refuses to consider her pov. He has to have the most basic things (e.g. feminism) explained to him. Draining.
The problem is her delivery (excuse the pun, given she’s a midwife). She could make the same point in a much lighter way. She has a heaviness and seriousness (and at times a whininess) that makes people switch off to her very valid points. Especially Ash, who struggles to be serious at the best of times.
They’re just not well matched.