What’s the key to a successful relationship? Perhaps you may be saying that’s a million dollar question. Sometimes it’s just the simple things that we so easily forget or think are unimportant that holds the key to a healthy and happy relationship. Read through the helpful tips below on how to make your relationship succeed.
1. Aim to devote time together each day, and at least one day a month when the two of you spend time exclusively together. Without quality time together, your relationship will not survive.
2. You both want to feel secure within the relationship. A good relationship is built on compromise and a lot of give and take from both of you.
3. Often those little things that first attracted you to your partner can turn into nasty annoying habits. Learn to love your partner as they are. Don’t try to change them into something they’re not, after all you fell in love with them just the way they were.
4. Money is one of the top conflicts between most couples. For the relationship to work, you need to address your finances and maybe even work out a budget.
5. Learn to agree to disagree. Never say something to your partner that you wouldn’t want to hear said back. Just remember, you are individuals with differences and you must learn to navigate your differences.
6. Communication is vital to all healthy relationships. Listen to your partner and avoid blame and judgment. Don’t let your emotions dictate your behavior. Remember just talking things over can help you to both have a deeper understanding of each other.
7. Sort out your sex life, it may start to go downhill over the years, don’t just accept it. As soon as you notice it, address it with your partner and work out why, and what to do to bring back the passion. Maybe one of you prefer sex more often than the other. Try experimenting with new ideas in the bedroom. Role play, dressing up, or maybe take your sex life outside of the bedroom into new places. The introduction of marital aids into the relationship can also help to spice things up. Whatever you decide, remember communication is vital.
8. Try to keep your dependence and independence in balance. Tell your partner how much you need them, but don’t get too dependent on them and cling to them all the time, as that can make your partner feel trapped. On the flip side of this, don’t allow your partner to think you don’t need them, by going or doing things without them. Try to keep a happy and healthy balance between the two.
9. Learn to forgive. Forgiving does not mean you forget. When a person forgives they don’t lose their memory. When a person refuses to forgive bitterness begins to set in. Everyone has the ability to forgive anyone of anything. It is a choice. You must make a decision to forgive and let go and to not bring the matter up again. Forgive with the intentions of making it all right and to move forward.
10. Don’t ever think that going to counseling is a sign of a failed relationship. It can turn a bad relationship around and can also turn an average relationship into an excellent one. More and more people are turning to counseling today than ever, it shows that you are both prepared to try and make things better, which can’t be is never a bad thing at all.
The fact remains, that whether you’re dating or married, relationships are hard. It takes 100% commitment from both of you. However, healthy and long-lasting relationships are achievable and many couples have proven just that. Not everything is always going to be perfect, but if you both choose to make it work, then it can. And remember, it’s the little things that you sometimes do that can go a long way to making your relationship work.