Strong couples.
There are no golden rules for a relationship. There is no definitive guidebook. Relationships don’t come with user manuals that tell you how to go about them. It’s all about learning and adapting. It’s all about growing and developing both as individuals and as a couple. That’s why the most influential couples are those that never become complacent. They are the couples that are always looking to grow and adapt. They are the couples who are still learning from one another. They are the ones who make a conscious effort always to get rid of bad habits. They are the ones who try their best to work at their relationship every single day.
Relationships that are designed to last are always going to require substantial effort from both parties involved. No one person will ever have the strength or emotional capacity to carry an entire relationship alone. And the most active couples are those who understand that love and commitment alone are never going to be enough to sustain a relationship. However, they let their love and emotional bond for one another fuel and motivate them to work hard for each other.
One common mistake that a lot of couples in love tend to make is that they grow complacent in their stability and security in each other. Some relationships are lucky enough to get to the point of consistency and durability, and that’s great. However, when these couples grow to become complacent, they think that it becomes okay to stop putting in the effort in the relationship. And when that happens, the romance slowly starts to die down, and the magic of the relationship begins to fade. So regardless of how long you’ve been together and how stable your relationship has always been, you have to make sure that you are still practicing good habits to improve on your love for each other.
Now again, there is no definitive rule book on what you should be doing in your relationship. But there are some tried and tested tips that you can take note of. Remember that relationships take on the characters and personalities of the people involved in them. And your attitude is mainly formed by the habits that you practice every day. So if you consistently make a conscious choice to practice good habits in your relationship, then you are substantially improving your chances of making the relationship last.
Here are some examples of some good habits that you could practice to strengthen your relationship with your partner:
1. You make it a point to carve time out for each other.
Time is always essential in a romance because it speaks volumes of a person’s priority. When you make it a point to prioritize one another, then it shows that you are both deeply committed to making the relationship work.
2. You own up to your mistakes and shortcomings in the relationship.
You always have to stay honest with yourself. Take responsibility for your wrongdoings and own up to your faults. Your partner will only respect you more for it.
3. You try your best to resolve issues quickly.
Never draw out an argument for too long. Don’t let conflicts linger. Whenever issues in your relationship arise, address them immediately. Don’t sweep them under the rug for later.
4. You have a healthy system of overcoming disagreements.
You aren’t going to agree all the time. But you both know how to overcome your disagreements with minimal drama and toxicity.
5. You set and effectively communicate reasonable expectations for one another.
Expectations are always going to be encouraged in relationships. It’s an excellent way for couples to keep one another in check. But it’s essential for expectations always to be reasonable, and they always have to be effectively communicated as well.
6. You try new experiences with one another.
A couple that tries out new experiences together is a couple that grows and learns together. It’s integral that you continue to grow and develop in your relationship so that you don’t get stuck in a rut. Try new things together, and constantly put yourselves outside of your comfort zones.
7. You talk about your goals as a couple.
When you want to have a long-term relationship, you have to think in the long-term. You set goals for your relationship, and you both consciously try to work towards your dreams together.
8. You value one another as individuals.
You don’t idealize your partner as merely someone who plays a role in your life. You value your partner as an independent human being who you grow to fall in love with every day that you’re together.
9. You practice maximum patience and understanding in your relationship.
You have to recognize that you are both only human, and you are going to have your fair share of mistakes in the relationship. Be okay with that and be as patient as possible with one another. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Talk to me
Are you in a healthy relationship? Talk to me in the comments below!
Good starting point, but felt there was a lot missing. And, those missing do matter.