9 Tips on How to Make a Relationship Work

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

1. Know yourself to be able to select a good partner.

It is very important to know what you want for yourself, and what you are looking for to be able to select your partner. If you cannot connect with yourself, it is impossible to find a partner you can get along with. Without knowing what you really want, we might end up wasting our time with the wrong person. Although sometimes, we already know what we want yet we were in a hurry in choosing them. During the early part of our relationship, we may have thought that we shared a lot of things, the same values and goals, but in the long run we fail to realize that we actually didn’t have something in common. It failed and it was too late when we discovered that we were two different people with very distinct convictions that don’t go along well.

2. Get to know your partner.

You have to find out the true nature of your partner to be able to connect well. Bear in mind that we are unique individuals that have different personalities. Know which qualities that you like and hate in him/her. Review which are those you want him to modify and which ones you are willing to live with.

3. Respect and support each other.

Respect is a basic form of building relationships. However, respect for oneself must first be established before respect for your partner can take place. Before we met our partner, we already have our values and principles so do not accuse nor judge but respect. As your relationship gets deeper, you may discover hidden talents or traits you and your partner possess that was unknown before. Supporting each other in unveiling those mysteries can help make a relationship work.

4. Keep communication open and talk to each other always.

It cannot be avoided that disagreements and fights occur during our relationship. However, not all misunderstandings lead to an end. That’s why communication plays a vital role. It is totally impossible that you and your partner agree at all times. We all have our flaws and imperfections so both of you should learn how to listen to each other’s sentiments and compromise. It is not a valid reason to avoid talks due to fear of conflict. It just suppresses feelings, which would later  contribute to bigger issues. Speak your mind and express yourself. Good communication is learning how to say things the right way, knowing when and how to say it and accepting that some things are better left unspoken.

5. Be honest to build trust.

Honesty is still the best policy. Although at times telling the truth can be very hard and may take a lot of risks, it is much better to tell the truth and your partner gets hurt than not telling the truth right away but later  finding out about the truth from somebody. It would be much more painful. If possible, anchor your relationship on trust to avoid doubts, insecurities and suspicions. If you don’t trust your partner you will have a difficult time and, even if trust takes time to develop, it always pays to be open about your concerns. Try not to break your partner’s trust too.

6. Never lose faith and stay positive.

There will always be people who tend to negate things maybe because of their negative experiences. Don’t listen to them and have faith in your relationship. Never assume something if you haven’t clarified it with your partner. However, if you feel there is nothing to worry about, keep your love alive and maintain a positive attitude.

7. Exert an effort, be patient and expect less.

Patience is a virtue. Keep in mind that a successful relationship does not take place overnight and sustaining them is never easy. It takes a lot of effort but all worth it in the end. Do not expect too much also. High expectations are one of the reasons why a lot of relationships fail. Many of us expect too much and if our expectations fail, we blame the relationship.

8. Give each other free day to enjoy themselves or with others.

Surprisingly, giving each other free day to enjoy is healthy to your relationship. Free day meaning, no communication at all. This way, you give your partner freedom, whether a boy’s night out or a girl’s social gathering. You don’t want to be possessive. Nobody wants to be tied too tight you can hardly breathe either.  Besides, you are giving them a time to miss you.

9. Accept and don’t compare with others.

Accept that everybody commits mistakes and your partner is of no exemption. If your relationship deserves another try, be willing to forgive and give your partner another chance to prove himself/herself. Most importantly, never compare your relationship with your friends or to anybody. There is no reason to ask how their relationship worked because you and your partner went through different struggles than others did.