Creating a long-lasting, successful relationship is hard work, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. However, even stable marriages can lack quality and the couple could be struggling to maintain their happiness together. It is crucial to understand the aspects that make a relationship successful and to live by them every day. What makes a relationship successful, rewarding, and satisfying? Norman Dowler LLP has insider advice from the desks of attorneys who have seen it all.
1. Commit and communicate.
It has been said countless times that communication is one of the keys to a successful relationship, yet people still continue to struggle with it. Commit to your partner by addressing and working through conflict when it arises. There are no perfect relationships, but there are ways to handle difficult situations, especially because they are inevitable.
Try to let things go and not sweat the small stuff. Holding grudges can be so toxic that they have the potential to ruin even the strongest relationships. When you are feeling angry, sad, or frustrated in some way, work through your emotions before dumping them on your partner. Effective communication occurs through realistic and logical thinking.
2. Focus on “we” and “me”.
A successful relationship requires you to take another person’s feelings into consideration, but that does not mean you should ignore your own. Too often, people depend on their significant other for too much, causing the individual to struggle with their independence. Pay attention to your significant other but also make time for yourself. You should still be able to do the things you enjoy and be your own person outside of the relationship. A successful relationship requires the balance of autonomy and dependence.
3. Embrace fun.
Having fun does not mean you need to go on a lavish vacation or live outside of your means. It can be as simple as having a regular date night with your significant other or playing your favorite childhood games to feel like a kid again. Successful couples come up with fun ideas to keep the spark alive in their relationship.
4. Understand the work.
Though relationships can be fulfilling and fun, they also require effort. A healthy partnership requires work from both individuals in the relationship. It should never feel like a burden to maintain the relationship’s health. When you make your partner’s happiness one of your priorities, you will develop an admirable love that others look up to.
5. Show instead of tell.
It can be easy to tell people you love them or care about them, but the best way to do it is by showing them. You do not need to spend a lot of money to show a person you value their companionship. Make dinner, surprise them by doing some household chores, run an errand for them, or write them a letter to let them know you are thinking about them. A little kindness goes a long way.
If you need legal counsel regarding divorce, contact our seasoned family law attorneys at Norman Dowler LLP. Since 1958, we have helped thousands of clients with their legal matters, providing legal representation tailored to Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties.
