Ask anyone and they will say building a relationship takes work. But what should you actually be doing? Should you be spending all your time together? Or practising trust exercises? People are most likely to give you lots of advice on your relationships, but which advice can you trust?
A relationship you can rely on needs to be treated with care. In this article, we’ll explore what you should be doing to build a strong relationship and how you can maintain it.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Ros Yuen Psychology today.
Building a Strong Relationship
Strong relationships are ones we can trust wholeheartedly. They’re the ones we fall back on in difficult times for support and care. Without a strong relationship, you can feel adrift and isolated. From friends to family and partners, every kind of relationship needs care.
The Importance of Communicating
While taking a quiz on your partner might be a bit excessive, getting to know them is an important part of a healthy relationship. Likewise, open communication and vulnerability are core principles that grow and strengthen relationships.
If you’re struggling to communicate with your partner, setting aside time to sit down and talk in a calm environment could be just what you need. Don’t be afraid to address and reaffirm each other’s boundaries. If one or both of you feel there is a disconnect in the relationship, addressing it verbally is the first step.
Your partner may not be aware of any problem. Without communication, issues can’t be addressed properly. This can lead to problems worsening over time and weakening your relationship.
Finding a Balance
Finding the right balance is an important part of ensuring your relationship lasts. Many people will say you need to put yourself or your partner first, both of these are true.
If you’re sacrificing your well-being or happiness for your partner all the time, your relationship will begin to feel unfair. Likewise, putting yourself first above your partner can make them feel neglected and alone. This is why compromise is such an important part of relationships.
Acknowledging what matters to your partner is the best way to make them feel valued. While conflict is a normal part of a relationship, it’s important to remember you’re on the same team. Both people in the partnership need to be willing to take time for each other and acknowledge when they need to take time for themselves.
Remember It’s Not All Smooth Sailing
It’s important to remember that relationships do take work and it isn’t always easy. Being realistic about your relationships is an important part of maintaining them. Relationships are constantly growing and changing as we grow and change. Developing and maturing relationships can be just as wonderful and fulfilling as the honeymoon phase.
Likewise, life is constantly changing. Your relationship might be straining from family pressure. Maybe you’re struggling to agree on a life decision or starting a new job. It’s important to acknowledge that these can affect your relationship and that being affected does not make it weak.
As long as you communicate and feel connected with your partner, you can overcome these hurdles and keep going.
Staying Intimate
A loss of physical intimacy can feel like the end of a relationship. But there are many ways to stay close to your partner and rebuild that intimacy. Taking the time to decompress, cuddle, and hold hands are ways to strengthen your connection.
Putting in the effort to find time for your partner is also a great way to make them feel wanted and reaffirm your commitment. This could mean regular date nights or verbal check-ins to make sure you’re both on the same page.
That said, many people find discussing intimacy a difficult topic. Likewise, there could be many different reasons for a sudden loss of intimacy. If you’re struggling to communicate with your partner, a professional may be able to help.
Couples counselling is a great way to explore and address these difficult topics in a controlled space. A counsellor can help you communicate and overcome barriers in your relationship so that small problems don’t become larger ones.
Building a Relationship That Lasts
Building a stronger relationship takes time and effort. But if both you and your partner are communicating and committed, it becomes a lot easier. If you feel as though your relationship is struggling, or you’re facing challenges that make it difficult, couples counselling can help get you back on track.
Whether you need advice on how to communicate, establish expectations or navigate intimacy, a professional can help. If you need advice, contact our team today. At Ros Yuen Psychology, we are dedicated to providing professional and reliable support.
