Relationships aren’t about risk avoidance. It’s more of risk management. Committing yourself to a partner risks different facets of your personality. Your partners start to recognize your flaws and vulnerability. They begin to be familiar with your irks and level of pride. Of course, everyone has it. Thus, it makes entering a relationship a risk.
These factors affect the reactions and concerns of the people involved in the relationship. Some people work on them successfully while others never meet eye to eye. These couples fail to improve themselves and place the pressure on their relationship. They break up and move on. They attribute their failure on incompatibility based on palm reading. They don’t try to work on their issues together.
Sticking with your significant other takes work, but the path to a harmonious relationship isn’t complicated. These seven resolutions will be your key to a happy and lasting relationship.
1. Make time for each other.
As you age and reach the next phase of your relationship, it is only natural to take on new and different responsibilities. Your careers, parenting duties, and other activities demanding time will come before the relationship. The day will come when you long for each other because you never have time be with your significant other. Thus, set aside time each week to do activities together. Commit to a new hobby, catch up or be affectionate. Show your love and make your partner feel how much you crave interaction between you two.
2. Discuss how to handle arguments during downtime.
Each person has a different expectation on how to handle a disagreement. As a couple, it’s best to discuss how to diffuse an issue when both are cool-headed. Your partner wants you to hear, understand and validate their emotions and argument. Unfortunately, you won’t see eye to eye unless you are aware of it. Work on how you will resolve disputes to improve the quality of your relationship. Keep an open mind while discussing the specifics.
3. Focus on communication.
Communication is the foundation of a relationship. No matter how developed is your skill, you both must speak and understand each other’s language. Keeping things simple when talking about something emotional takes the pressure off. The other person is less likely to get overwhelmed. Using “I” like “I feel…” instead of “you always..” won’t pin the problems to the other person. It also feels less threatening. Still, listen to your partner when they criticize you. Listen to their concerns when they criticize you before you get defensive.
4. Spend less time on your phone.
Spending less time on your phone when together improves your relationship in the long run. Tuning into the TV or scrolling aimlessly on your social media feed takes the focus off the person in front of you. Some couples go out and dine together without having a conversation because they are busy looking at their phones. If you wish to improve your relationship, commit to liking each other than the illusion of a perfect relationship with other couples.
5. Display your affection to boost your feelings.
People in long-term relationships can feel taken for granted especially when no one takes the initiative to offer praise and gratitude. As much as possible, show your respect and appreciation for the large and small things they do for you. Say thank you for breakfast, drive to work or the takeout from your favorite restaurant. Don’t forget to mention how your S.O. took extra effort to make you smile.
6. Think of the tiny irks in the relationship into a learning experience.
Each one has a quirk clashing with your own. If your partner has one infuriating you every single day, don’t take it to heart. Use it to learn more about your difference. You begin to see outside the box and differentiate which traits are good and bad for the relationship. It is also a challenge to turn the inconvenience into something beneficial. You will learn not to feel bothered by it while you help your partner feel empowered. Realizing the negative trait isn’t part of who they are is part of the acceptance which they will learn because of you.
Improving the quality of your relationship involves honesty and active participation on both sides. It is scary to be open and vulnerable to someone else. However, the right person will choose to love every part of you. Your flaws, weakness, and ego are all parts you learn to improve with the help of your partner. You can do this through open communication, time together and self-discovery.
