The concept of an everlasting relationship may sound like a fairytale in this day and age. But finding a soulmate who becomes your partner for life isn't wholly extinct yet!
Relationships can quickly fade if we don't take care of them and nurture them. So what can you do to ensure that your relationship endures?
Good communication is vital in any relationship if it's going to last. You need to be able to discuss situations and listen carefully to one another. Concentrate on what your partner is saying and understand their point of view. Try repeating what they've just said to them this tells your partner that you're really listening to them and get what they're telling you, even if you don't necessarily agree.
Suppose you want to move to a different part of the country or change to a new career? If your partner doesn't support you in what you want to do, it's guaranteed to cause conflict between you. If your partner is making a significant decision, it's OK to let them know if you have any reservations about it. But let them know you'll love and support them - and mean it - whatever they decide.
In the early days of a relationship, spending as much time as possible with your new partner is fantastic and it's hard to be apart. But as time passes, you might find that little things start to get on your nerves.
Make time for doing things separately: visit your family or hang out with friends and give your partner space to do the same. Being away from your significant other for a while isn't a catastrophe: you'll see them again in the evening, or the next day, or even the following week. As the saying goes: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" and being apart can strengthen your relationship.
While being apart can help you to appreciate your partner more, finding things to do together is also an essential aspect of a long term relationship. In the early days of a relationship, people tend to pay a lot of attention to each other's interests. But this doesn't always continue, and couples sometimes develop completely separate interests.
Try to find something you can enjoy as a couple. It could be a hobby or sport, or something simple like watching a movie or cooking a meal. The more interests you have in common, the fewer compromises about how to spend your time you'll have to make.
Sex is an essential factor for most relationships, so don't take it for granted. The sparks start to fade as time passes, sex often happens less frequently, and it might start to feel like a bit of a chore. Once again, communicating with your partner honestly and openly is the secret to a healthy, long-lasting relationship.
It's surprisingly common for couples to fall into a habit of not having sex. If your love life needs to be rekindled, but you don't feel interested, try pushing yourself a bit and just giving it a go. You might surprise yourself and have a good time.
Sometimes, loss of interest in sex can be related to stress or health issues. Bach Flower Mix 71 addresses problems related to stress, while to support the libido, Bach Flower Mix 41 can help with loss of desire.
Everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected, and maintaining some degree of privacy is a vital key to a successful long term relationship. Everyone has a secret, something that they prefer to keep private, and you need to have peace of mind that your partner won't disrespect you by crossing your boundaries.
Respect also means not insulting your partner by name-calling when you argue. You can say hurtful things (that you don't really mean) in the heat of the moment, but once said, personal insults are difficult for your partner to forgive and forget when you make up.
If you want your relationship to be everlasting, neither you nor your partner can always have it your own way. You must both compromise. For example, if you have a regular date night, one week you get to choose, the next time your partner chooses something they enjoy.
If you don't compromise, your relationship is unequal, with one partner making all the decisions. This never works out well. Adjusting your needs and preferences to include those of your partner helps to balance things out.
Honesty is the best policy in your relationship as in every other area of life. If you aren't honest with your partner, you can't expect them to trust you and vice versa. If you don't want your significant other to lie to you, don't lie to them, even about small things. If someone has ever lied to you, you'll know how hurtful it can be. We only lie when we are trying to hide something, and you can't found an everlasting relationship on lies.
When you're in a long term relationship, you can sometimes fall into a pattern of putting your partner's needs above your own. But it's crucial that you also take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough exercise, eat healthily and sleep well. If you have insomnia, Bach Flower Mix 87 can help you to get a better night's sleep.
Make time every day to do something you enjoy, whether it's watching your favourite TV show, going for a walk or a relaxing bath.
The effort needed to make a relationship last forever should not just come from you. There are two of you in the relationship, and you both need to work at communicating openly, compromising and respecting each other. With trust, honestly and perseverance, your relationship will bloom into everlasting love.
Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/intentional-insights/201701/12-tips-happy-long-lasting-relationships
https://brightside.me/inspiration-relationships/10-things-only-people-in-a-long-term-relationship-can-understand-599060/
Nowadays, it can sometimes seem almost everyone has a mental health issue or learning disorder. But, are we too quick to label people, or is it that we are more aware of the problems? This article looks at some of the issues surrounding these sensitive questions.
It's often difficult to say no, but some people never do! So how do you know when to say no and when to say yes?
It's natural to compare our own lives with those of others - weighing up the pros and cons of situations helps us make decisions. But there can be a downside when you find you're constantly comparing yourself with others, envying their seemingly perfect lives and wondering why they are luckier, more prosperous, and better looking than you.
What are your aims in life? Do you plan to be rich, to be a top footballer, to be a good parent, or to become Prime Minister? However efficiently you plan your life, sooner or later you are going to come up against obstacles to achieving your goals.
Feel like everyone takes you for granted? Whether it's working late to prepare a presentation or cooking a special birthday meal for your partner, it's nice to be appreciated when you've made an extra effort. And if it seems as if people don't notice, you might feel as if no one values you.
Read the complete article
Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.
Feel like you overthink too much? Having a hard time making decisions? Or feel like you don’t consider your options enough? Find out how to strike a balance.
Your relationship ends, or you lose your job, and you get stuck in a rut of negative thoughts and suffering. How good are you at letting go of grudges and accepting that some things are beyond your control? Take our quiz to find out!
Read the complete article
What can you do if your kid doesn't want to go back to school? Here are our hints and tips to help if your child is expressing a refusal to go to school.
No one knows what the future holds, so don't waste time and energy worrying about it. Read our tips and find out how to stop being afraid of what might never happen.
Read the complete article
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
