Relationships are a lot of work, but they’re worth it. A healthy relationship starts with both parties being equally invested in making it work. You should be open and honest with one another, communicate effectively and make time for each other amidst the chaos of everyday life. Here are some more tips for having a healthy and happy relationship!
1) Communication is key
You need to be able to talk about anything without feeling like it will break your partnership or make you feel judged by your partner. Be sure to listen as well as speak when talking through tough topics, don’t interrupt your partner while they’re speaking, avoid getting defensive (it’s hard not to take things personally), and give feedback on what you heard them say so they know you were listening.
2) Respect your partner’s boundaries
While it’s hard not to be upset if your partner lies about where they’ve been, there are other ways to address the issue than calling them out in front of friends or accusing them of lying to hurt you. If you’re having a disagreement, how can your partner know that you’re being serious about the conversation if you’re using sarcasm or being dismissive? Be respectful of your partner’s feelings and opinions and they’ll do the same.
3) No one’s perfect
Things like falling asleep without saying goodnight, forgetting to call when you said you would, or forgetting an anniversary can seem like the biggest deal ever, but it’s no big deal. If you can both accept that neither of you is perfect and be willing to work through problems as they come up, your relationship will be better for it.
4) Be proactive about solving problems
If you’re fighting with your partner, don’t ignore them or avoid talking to them because it’s too awkward. This will only push the problem further down the road and could even lead to bigger fights. Sit down together, talk about what happened calmly, and work out a solution that you both can agree on.
5) Compromise
While your idea of a fun Saturday night maybe going out to a club with friends and staying out till the wee hours of the morning, your partner may want to chill at home and go to bed early. Neither of you is right or wrong; you’re simply different and both ideas make sense. Instead of one person always getting their way, compromise on plans- let them know what plans you made with your friends ahead of time, and if they can’t make it, suggest an alternative plan.
6) Have fun together
Spending time with your partner doesn’t always have to entail having a serious conversation about your relationship or making plans for the future. Sometimes talking is overrated! Spend some time doing activities you both enjoy together without any distractions or expectations of how it “should” be. Go see a movie, play sports or video games together, go for a walk, cook dinner… the possibilities are endless!
7) Don’t make it all about the other person
You’ve spent months (maybe years) getting to know your partner and now that you’re dating they expect you to know every little thing about them. It can be overwhelming trying to keep up with all the things your partner is interested in, especially when you also have friends and family that want your attention too. While it’s important to focus on your partner for a few hours every day, don’t forget about yourself or make plans with other people- maintaining friendships is very important!
8) You’re not a couple just because you’re dating
While it may feel like the next step in your relationship, don’t start planning for things that won’t be happening anytime soon. Picking out china patterns and wedding dates should be left to married couples or those 100% sure their partner is “the one.” Most importantly, don’t pressure your partner into saying that you’re a couple just because it’s what everyone thinks is supposed to happen.
9) Be yourself
There are so many things about yourself that you wish your significant other knew but can’t bring up, either because they haven’t been around long enough or aren’t the best at expressing their feelings. That’s okay! It’s important to be yourself around your partner and not feel like you have to act a certain way. Once you’re completely comfortable with each other, you can discuss these things in more detail.
10) Have fun dating
If you already know that you want to be with this person forever, why waste time on the things most couples go through in the beginning? If you’re dating, there’s no need to take it too seriously; focus on enjoying getting to know each other and exploring what it is like to be with one another. Once you’ve made the decision that this is “the one,” then start planning for your future together instead of just hoping the timing will work itself out.
11) Ask yourself why you’re together
If you’ve been dating for a while and things haven’t worked themselves out, ask yourself why that is the case. Is it because you don’t know each other very well? Were there red flags at the beginning but you overlooked them because everything else was so good? Rather than sticking around and dealing with a dysfunctional relationship, it’s better to end things early rather than spend months or worse years in a complicated, unhealthy relationship.
12) Don’t let anyone else put you down
Whether it’s a best friend, a loud-mouthed family member, or even your own self-doubt, no one has the right to treat you like less than you deserve or make you feel like your partner doesn’t care about you. If the relationship is not the best it can be, don’t put up with it just to avoid confrontation and making waves- find someone who will support and love you for who you are!
13) Make sure your date knows what they’re getting into
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression, but make sure they know exactly what kind of person you are. It’s important to be open and upfront about your likes and dislikes as well as any serious health conditions or mental illnesses so your partner can protect themselves and keep things from getting too complicated later on down the line!
The world is a beautiful place with lots of people. It’s easy to find someone, but it takes work and dedication to build a happy and healthy relationship that lasts for years. If you have read this blog post from start to finish, then hopefully we’ve been able to provide some advice or tips on how you can do just this! Good luck and enjoy your day!