No relationship is perfect. Even if you and your partner are happy and in love with each other, you probably still argue or at least heated discussions now and then. While these conflicts may be emotionally draining, they may make your relationship stronger. If you feel like you’ve been fighting more often than you’d like to be, you may want to consider changing your approach to your relationship. I know that may sound a bit vague, but that’s because every relationship is different, so what works for you and your partner may not work for another couple.
With all that in mind, I have gathered 12 key things that work for every couple that wants to strengthen their relationship. Keep reading to explore a few fail-proof if you want to go the extra mile.
- Be honest with each other
The truth sometimes hurts, but in my opinion, dishonesty hurts more. We’ve all heard the saying “Honesty is the foundation o any relationship” because unconditional trust makes people feel safe. Even if you think the truth will be hard for your partner to hear, they’ll appreciate it in the long run.
Being honest can be as simple as telling your partner that they may want to consider a breath mint or as profound as letting they know that you don’t think quitting their job is a good idea. - Work on being flexible
Relationships are not about who is right and who is not. Even if you feel your idea is better, keep an open mind before forcing your partner to concede. For instance, if you’re headed home for dinner at your friend’s house and are convinced that your route is faster, take a step back and ask yourself if this potential argument is worth it.
Think about it like this:
Anything you feel you won’t care about in 30 minutes shouldn’t be something you need to be right about. If you’re having a much bigger discussion about something a bit more significant and genuinely think that your approach or stance on the topic is superior, you should feel free to speak your mind.
- Relinquish control
You are the only person you can control. Even if you are used to being in the driver’s seat, letting your partner make a few decisions that they feel strongly about will remind both of you that you are equals in this relationship. If you always decide everything, your partner may start to feel like you’re belittling or don’t respect them.
- Use humor when you can
Hardly anyone enjoys arguing or talking about the underlying or obvious issues in their relationship. These kinds of conversations can put a lot of undue pressure on both of you, effectively making it that much worse. If you can, try to lighten the mood a little bit. That way, you’ll feel comfortable enough to feel like you can say what you want to say without your nerves getting in the way.
Another plus is that a little bit of humor may help put the issues at hand in perspective. If humor doesn’t feel appropriate, definitely don’t force it. Some things are too serious to be joked about.
- Support each other emotionally
You don’t always have to agree with your partner, but before you shoot their idea down because you think they are wrong, remember that everyone just wants to be heard. Make an effort to be there for them when they’re struggling even if it’s due to a problem of their own doing. One phrase to avoid if you’re working on being more emotionally supportive of your partner is “I told you so.”
- Take time for yourself
Even if you enjoy spending a ton of time with your partner, be sure to set aside at least a few minutes every day for yourself. Whether you spend that time meditating, reading, or working out, you’ll feel a little rejuvenated and ready to socialize again.
TIPShoot for short, undivided amounts of time rather than taking a few hours to do something by yourself__even if it’s just a few breathing exercises to steady your heart rate.
- Let your differences work for you
No two people in the world are exactly alike, which is what makes couples so interesting. Happy couples learn to build up those differences to strengthen their bond. Generally, these differences can make you and your partner the perfect complements. However, if you feel the need to change your partner to be happy with her, ask yourself if they are the right one .
- Practice patience
People do things that get on your nerves at times, and that’s true for all of us. Even if you adore your partner, they may still chew a little too loudly for your liking or hog the covers at night. It may be tempting to get angry and confront them, but before you do, wait a few minutes. If you still feel the urge to say something, go ahead. If it doesn’t bother you anymore, it’s not worth it.
- Spend quality time together
If you have schedules, travel a lot for work, or have a long-distance relationship, you may feel like spending a few hours together here, and there isn’t enough to keep your relationship healthy. That isn’t necessarily true. We all know that quality is more important than quantity, so if you’re feeling insecure about how your lack of hours may be affecting your relationship, make an effort to spend time you are together, you’re making it count.
- Avoid comparisons
Measure your companion by their and your standards. It may feel natural to compare your current partner to someone else whether it’s an old flame of yours or a friend whose relationship you envy. Remind yourself that you chose your partner because of their unique qualities, so measuring them up against someone not only is hurtful to them but also unfair.
- Forgive and forget
If your partner has done something incredibly hurtful, do not force yourself to forgive just to avoid conflict. Forgiveness is monumentally important in a relationship. There should never be any lingering issues between you and your partner. If you’re disagreeing, you don’t have to sweep it under the rug and pretend everything is fine, By all means, talk about it.
However, suppose you find yourself unable to forgive after you have a meaningful conversation about the issue at your notice, you may notice the trust go out of the relationship on both ends. If your partner has done something incredible, do not force yourself to forgive.