But this is what a relationship is based on, two people compromising their happiness for someone else, and yet relishing in the fact that they’re compromising for their lover’s happiness. Of course, it doesn’t sound that glamorous when you put it like that, but that’s what it is.
But what else is a relationship based on, and what do you need to focus on to make sure that this relationship is one that lasts? Let’s have a look at a few ideas.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Build your compatibility
- 2 Falling in love may seem spontaneous, but as the relationship grows, you’ll start to realize that the spontaneous love starts to flicker and transition into a mature love that’s based on understanding and compatibility.
- 3 2. Never let frustrations and hatred build-up
- 4 3. Be truthful and frank with each other
- 5 4. Unique strengths that complement each other
- 6 5. Think “we” not “I”
- 7 6. Avoid insecurities
1. Build your compatibility
Falling in love may seem spontaneous, but as the relationship grows, you’ll start to realize that the spontaneous love starts to flicker and transition into a mature love that’s based on understanding and compatibility.
Can you really live with each other? You may have different perspectives and interests, but can you find a way to bring them all under one roof and still live happily?
What may now seem like a minor nuisance can eventually turn into something that can end a relationship.
2. Never let frustrations and hatred build-up
Never ever let a molehill grow into a mountain. If something about your partner or their behavior disturbs you, learn to say it immediately.
Every time you yell at a partner or find yourself getting frustrated, you have to understand that it doesn’t happen all of a sudden. Frustrations always build up slowly. What starts off as a little nagging thought slowly builds up over time into hatred and anger.
But if you let things build up in your head, your partner will never understand the things that really bother you, until the day you burst out in a rage. Unless you’re looking for an argument, help your partner understand you better by talking about anything that bothers you, even if it seems trivial at first.
3. Be truthful and frank with each other
If you want to know how to have a long-term relationship, you need to learn to be truthful with each other, be it about a nagging irritation, a fancy sexual fetish, or a friendly crush on someone else.
When you’re truthful, it’ll help your partner understand you better and know you better as a person.
A little white lie is acceptable especially when the truth would hurt your partner. But if it’s something that can affect your relationship, tell the truth. Even if the truth stings.
4. Unique strengths that complement each other
As individuals, all of us come with our own strengths and weaknesses. In a long-term relationship, you need to learn to use your strengths and weaknesses to complement each other and help each other.
If you’re an intellectual thinker and your partner’s a smooth talker, don’t get frustrated or egoistic because of the different strengths. Instead, learn to use each other’s strengths to become more efficient.
Codependence is a strength that’s waiting to be harnessed in a long-term relationship. Use it, don’t fight against it to endure a bad relationship.
5. Think “we” not “I”
Do you think of your partner each time you’re invited to a party or have to plan an evening?
When you’re a couple that’s truly in love with each other, you should think like a couple and keep your partner’s interests in mind just as much as you care about your own interests.
6. Avoid insecurities
Insecurities crop up when there are doubts. Doubts arise when there are miscommunications and half-truths. But long-term relationship are built on trust, so when insecurities and miscommunications pop up, the relationship will struggle.
