The thing is, relationships are a lot like intricate dances – a single misstep can lead to an awkward stumble, and before you know it, both dancers are on the floor. So, what’s the secret to avoid the stumbles and keep the dance smooth? Well, that’s exactly what we’re about to discuss.
An important key to avoid relationship problems is having open and honest communication. It’s easier said than done, I know. When was the last time you genuinely talked to your partner about your feelings, fears, or aspirations? But, just as the lifeblood courses through your veins, open communication needs to flow freely in a relationship. Keep things bottled up, and you’ve got a ticking time bomb of unexpressed feelings and unmet needs.
Another thing that can aid significantly in solving relationship conflicts is being empathetic. Try seeing things from your partner’s perspective. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say or do, but understanding their viewpoint can make a world of difference.
And this is where therapy can step in as a useful tool. A trained professional can help navigate through the sometimes turbulent waters of a relationship. Therapy isn’t just for “troubled” relationships; it’s about maintaining the health of a relationship, like going to the doctor for a regular check-up.
So, as we dive into the details, let’s remember one crucial thing – relationships aren’t about perfection, but progress.
10 – Define what your relationship stands for (DTR)
You and your partner definitely should define what your relationship stands for. It can be a mutual dream, desire to raise children, do charity, travelling, etc. In order to stay together and make each other happy do not hesitate to clarify what holds you together and what mutual objectives you have.
09 – Partner’s roles
What are yours and your partner’s roles in relationship? You and your partner can be engaged, married or you can be parents. There are endless choices to make. For example, you can both agree that you are not serious but want to stay together to see what happens. The roles here are boyfriend and girlfriend. You can also be a major political figure and your partner will carry a role of supporter with your career being very important.
08 – You can even switch roles
In the relationship one partner can play a role of entertainer while the other one is a caretaker who comforts. You can switch the roles or change them. When you define what role you play in relationship it is easier to understand why you are together with your partner. One partner can joke while another one makes a schedule of events. The more roles each partner has the better. This helps not to forget the reasons which put you together in the first place and also to avoid taking each other for granted.
07 – Never threaten!
Never threaten your partner to end the relationship. It also means that you should not let your partner blackmail and threaten you as well. When something like this happens it is called manipulation. Therefore, it is highly ineffective to use fear in order to win the argument. Typically, a person can contain some emotional and personal issues because he or she fears revealing them would make his/her partner want to leave. Never stay silent out of fear because saying the hard things might be difficult but effective.
06 – Counseling options
You should seek counseling when you and your partner can’t overcome your issues. If what you are trying to save have a real value for both of you marriage or couple’s counseling can be effective. Usually, in troublesome relationships partners do not feel comfortable to talk about their issues with friends or relatives. In any case a friend’s advice is not always as good as that of a professional. Not only couples that fight physically or experience emotional abuse can benefit from counseling. Professional psychiatric help can reduce stress, and bring harmony, trust, and understanding to everybody in need.
05 – Spice up your s*x life
Do not ignore your s*x life. It is normal for people who are together long enough to become alienated in bed. S*x after 5 years of marriage is usually not the same as it has been before. Specialists advise to be creative and meet the challenges seeing them as opportunities. The most typical advice is to “spice up” you s*x life. It means changing usual positions during s*x intercourse, trying new places (hotels, bathrooms, and rented apartments), using toys, work out, etc. Try rediscovering each other to explore what has been hidden before.
04 – Be A More Attentive Partner
Be attentive to your partner’s feelings, thoughts, emotions, opinions, and activities. One thing all people can’t tolerate is disregard. You should be very cautious because when one partner disregards another it is the opposite of love. Be interested in each other even if you are not always up to it. Simple couple of words said at the right time in the right place can change a lot.
03 – Don’t afraid of changing
If you feel your relationship is not what you want it to be you better try changing it. We all want to be happy but it’s who we care about most that hurt us. Suffering and unhappiness are not intentional. They are the product of perspective and attitude. If you are unhappy in the relationship no matter how bad your partner may be there is always your share of guilt. Accept it and start from yourself. Then help your partner to become better as well.
02 – Reasonable demands in a relationship
Don’t demand from your partner more than you demand from yourself. You should try meeting your partner halfway and urge him to do the same. For example, if your friend asked you to visit him as a couple but your partner does not want to go try balance your request with a promise to make it up later. Unequal distribution of responsibility, duties, and interest lead to misbalance which ruins the relationships.
01 – Money Issues
Try paying close attention to your finances. You should neither be dependent on your partner, nor make him/her depend on you. One of you can earn more but financial inequality leads to one partner using “money argument” to resolve issues that have nothing to do with money. This is a classic scheme in the “patriarch-housewife” scenario.
Well, that was quite a ride, wasn’t it? When it comes to relationships, it’s like being on a seesaw, constantly trying to balance things out. Remember, each relationship has its own rhythm and what works for one might not work for another.
The key is to keep talking, keep understanding, and most importantly, keep loving. Because in the grand scheme of things, love is what makes the world go round.
Even with all the tips we’ve discussed, don’t forget the one rule that tops them all – be patient. Change takes time, and avoiding relationship problems is a constant process, not a one-time event.
Remember, love isn’t about finding the perfect person. It’s about seeing an imperfect person perfectly. So, keep dancing, keep loving, and most importantly, keep growing together.