Starting a relationship with someone new can feel so easy. You’re still getting to know each other while falling blissfully in love. Those first few months and years together can feel wonderful. Here are a few of the best ways to maintain the health and happiness of your romantic relationship.
Express Your Needs and Desires
Learning how to be an effective communicator will minimize potential fights in the future and strengthen your relationship. Learn how to communicate what you want from your partner and what you want them to provide.
Speak honestly and from the heart, leaving your ego and pride at the door. Putting up walls may feel like the best way to protect your feelings, but it will ultimately put too much emotional distance between you and your partner.
Don’t Ignore the Hard Conversations
Waiting too long to have a hard conversation can result in extra stress, fighting, and even a breakup down the road. Never sweep something under the rug to preserve the peace in the relationship.
If you feel upset or unhappy, plan time to talk to your significant other about it. Be prepared to disagree with your partner. Put clear boundaries in place to protect both your feelings and your partner’s. Always strive to be respectful and honest no matter how difficult the conversation may be.
Be Prepared For Constant Growth
The person you fell in love with is going to change and grow over time. They may develop new traits or beliefs much different from when you first met them. Make room in your relationship for constant growth and change.
Adapt together as a couple as your dreams and plans fluctuate. Consider each new challenge as an opportunity to become stronger and more open-minded. The more hurdles you face, the more secure and healthy your relationship will become.
Your Partner is Always Your Ally
Don’t forget that you and your partner are a team. During arguments, it can be easy to begin to blame one another. One of you may say something hurtful or accusatory, and suddenly the fight spirals into personal attacks.
Always remember that it’s you and your partner against the issue. You should always be able to trust and lean on your significant other.
Consider Counseling When Necessary
No matter how healthy or sound your relationship may feel, you’ll eventually run into issues that seem too big to fight alone. Don’t give up on your relationship at the first sign of serious trouble.
Couples therapy can improve your communication skills and teach you how to be more empathetic. Scheduling online appointments with registered counselors will help you see your loved one in a much better light.
Don’t let one bad fight end a relationship that’s been good for years. Get the tools you need to be a better partner from relationship counseling.
Redefine How You’re Intimate
Intimacy is about enjoying the smaller moments spent together during the day. You can build intimacy with your partner by learning more about them and showing how much you care. Take the time to make their favorite meal or rent a movie they’ve been wanting to watch.
Show you’ve been listening by asking questions and engaging them. Physical intimacy is important, but it’s essential to build a foundation of healthy emotional intimacy first.
Appreciate Your Differences
At the end of the day, you and your partner are two different people. No matter how much you love each other or how much you get along, you have a variety of different interests, hobbies, and beliefs that may occasionally clash.
You don’t have to love everything about your significant other, but it’s important to show interest when they share something important with you. Showing your support builds better rapport in your relationship and makes it easier for your partner to confide in you in the future.
Closing Thought
Building a healthy relationship with your significant other can take some time. You likely have to unlearn some of the bad habits that led to one or two of your breakups in the past. Take the time now to start building a happy, healthy relationship that will last for decades if not the rest of your life.
