Let’s admit it, falling in love and staying in love are two different things. The truth is, over time, our feelings in our relationships change.
Sadly, the butterflies, the thrill, and the exhilarating rush of falling in love is not permanent. Every long-term couple goes through rough patches in their relationships.
The key to making it last? To constantly work on your relationship and remember that the two of you are on the same team.
Here are some helpful expectations about long-term coupledom.
Questioning Your Relationship Is Normal
Even if you’re still madly in love with your partner, it’s perfectly normal to occasionally question your relationship and wonder if it’s working out or not. Even couples who have been married for years have doubts from time to time. There’s nothing to worry about as long as your doubts aren’t constant and lingering.
Long-Term Relationships Do Feel Boring At Times
Let’s admit it, being with someone for a long period of time can get boring in comparison to the initial phase. The excitement of being in love does fade away after a point but those who truly love each other work on finding joy and happiness every day. Also, remember to not rely on your partner for excitement, as it might end up putting too much pressure on the person. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your happiness is your job and not your partner’s.
You Have To Continue To Grow… Seperately
One of the main reasons why people end up breaking it off with their long-term partners is because they get too dependent and then feel disappointed when the other person is unable to fulfill their expectations. For a relationship to work, it’s important for each person to have some independence from their partner. Take some time off from your relationship to continue doing the things that you enjoy. Additionally, remember to not suffocate your partner and give them their time off too.
Don’t Drag Your Fights
If you tend to bring up your partner’s previous mistakes from years ago into your current arguement, it’s high time you stopped doing so. In any relationship, it’s important to forgive and move on. When you don’t forgive your partner during a fight, the topic is bound to come up during your next argument. Yes, arguments will happen, but it’s best to communicate and work on it rather than holding on for a long time.
It’s Okay To Go To Bed Angry
You know that old age saying that never go to bed angry? Well, not everybody agrees. After a long work day, you’re tired and extra cranky and this is not a good combination for effective conflict management. It’d be a good idea to sleep on it rather than going in circles about the same argument with your partner. You tend to have a clear mind when you wake up, and there are chances that the issue might not even seem like a big deal anymore.
